The skies around Birmingham will have a pro-union message this weekend
A pro-union group is hoping to garner support for the United Auto Workers’ efforts to organize in Alabama’s auto plants with a series of advertisements and events in coming weeks.
More Perfect Union Solidarity, a 501(c)(5) organization, plans aerial banner flyovers over Tuscaloosa and Birmingham this weekend.
The banner will read “Support Auto Workers,” with the web address of a pro-union site.
The first flyover will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday over the Tuscaloosa Mayor’s Cup 5K.
The banner will also appear in the Birmingham area around noon Sunday over the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix at the Barber Motorsports Park.
More Perfect Union Solidarity also plans digital advertising in Alabama and will host community events and rallies with Vance workers and their families in the coming weeks, prior to the planned vote on union representation at Mercedes-Benz’s Vance auto factory.
Voting is scheduled to take place May 13 and 17 on whether workers at Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) will join the UAW. Vote totals are expected May 17.
“Alabama workers deserve more pay, more rights, more power –– that’s what this campaign is about,” Faiz Shakir, president of More Perfect Union Solidarity said.
“Despite already facing union-busting tactics, more than 70% of Vance workers have signed a union card and a majority of their neighbors support their unionization effort. Our campaign will build on this momentum and help deliver the second consecutive unionization victory in the South this year so Alabama auto workers can secure higher wages, better health care, safer workplaces, and a stronger retirement.”
Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant overwhelmingly voted for the UAW last week.