Mercedes EV plant in Alabama narrowly declines to join UAW, bucking trend
Hot on the heels of a historic victory where VW workers in Tennessee voted to join the United Auto Workers union, Mercedes workers in Vance, Alabama have narrowly voted against joining UAW themselves. The plant makes several cars, among which are the electric EQS and EQE SUVs.
The vote comes a day after another union victory in Alabama, where the New Flyer bus plant, which makes some EV buses, joined UAW.
Workers at the Mercedes plant voted over the course of the last week, with voting ending this morning. The votes are still being counted, but with ~4,700 out of ~5,200 votes cast and counted at press time, the vote stands at 44% yes and 56% no, meaning remaining votes wouldn’t be able to overcome the deficit. The vote total isn’t finalized so things could change somewhat, but the result seems clear from the numbers we’ve seen.
The vote was initiated by Mercedes workers, who approached UAW rather than the other way around. UAW has recently signaled its intent to unionize all other US automakers – an idea which President Biden lent support to.
Workers had complained about difficulties with new management and schedule changes implemented against the complaints of workers.
And it would have been a historic vote – only the second time a plant owned by a foreign automaker had voted to unionize in the US South, after VW did last month. The VW vote failed narrowly two times before it passed by a wide margin last month, whereas the Mercedes vote failed on its first count, by a larger margin than VW’s first two ballots did.
Mercedes had commented ahead of the vote that it looks forward “to participating in the election process to ensure every Team Member has a chance to cast their own secret-ballot vote, as well as having access to the information necessary to make an informed choice.”
But reports from employees said that they have been made to watch anti-union videos at the beginning of their shifts, and Reuters reports that Mercedes hired anti-union firms to sway employees away from joining, and that anti-union signs have been hung around the plant.
The vote also came in the midst of a hostile regional political environment for workers’ rights. The South as a whole tends to have lower unionization rates and lower levels of workers’ rights, with lower minimum wages and “right-to-work” laws, a deceptively-named category of laws that are intended to sideline workers’ unions.
In addition, prior to the VW vote, six Southern governors, including Kay Ivey of Alabama, made a joint statement to encourage workers against voting to join UAW, but VW workers went ahead and joined the union anyway. And earlier this week, Ivey signed a law that would retaliate against companies that voluntarily recognize unions by withholding economic incentives from them. The bill was signed during the Mercedes union voting period.
Auto-related manufacturing in Alabama has faced scrutiny lately, including Mercedes specifically. The National Labor Relations Board – which has been working overtime under the Biden administration, collecting a lot of wins for workers’ rights – is currently investigating both Mercedes and Hyundai in Alabama for unfair labor practices. And not long ago, a Hyundai supplier was found to be using child labor in Alabama.
The German government is also investigating Mercedes in Alabama. It is mandatory for German companies above a certain size to have labor representation on their board of directors, and the German auto industry is almost universally unionized.
However, not all is bad for UAW in Alabama. Just yesterday, the New Flyer factory in Anniston, Alabama voted to join UAW. Among other things, the plant builds New Flyer’s Xcelsior CHARGE NG battery-electric bus. That plant has around 600 employees, much smaller than the ~5,200 workers at the Mercedes plant.
Prior to today, the UAW had had quite a year, launching an unprecedented strike against all three major US automakers at the same time last September. The tactic worked, and six weeks later the UAW had made a deal with all three automakers, winning big pay increases and other assurances from each of them.
The win didn’t just help UAW workers, though, as soon after the strikes closed, several other companies announced big pay increases. Workers at VW, Hyundai, Toyota, Honda and Tesla all earned pay increases of about 10% or more as companies recognized the need to compete for skilled workers with better packages. Mercedes also recently raised pay ahead of this week’s union vote.
UAW President Shawn Fain called this “the UAW bump,” and said UAW stands for “U Are Welcome,” highlighting to non-union workers that strong unions help workers across the economy, not just at their own respective shops.
These wins are what encouraged UAW to open its recruitment drive at all other automakers in the US. UAW encouraged employees from other plants to signal their intent to join up by signing a union card through the website uaw.org/join/.
Fain even said that when the newly-negotiated contracts with the “Big Three” come up for renegotiation (on May 1, 2028 – International Workers’ Day), that this time the negotiations “won’t just be with a Big Three, but with a Big Five or Big Six” – meaning that the UAW plan to have unionized other automakers by that timeframe.
Today’s setback won’t put them closer to that goal, and it remains to be seen what strategy UAW will take going forward after this initial blow to the momentum it has built over the last year.
Electrek’s Take
I’ve used the same take several times in these UAW articles, which I will copy again here.
Unions are having a bit of a moment in the US, in recent years reaching their highest popularity ever since surveys started asking about them.
Much of union popularity has been driven by COVID-19-related disruptions across the economy, with workers becoming unsatisfied due to mistreatment (labeling everyone “essential,” companies ending work-from-home) and with the labor market getting tighter with over 1 million Americans dead from the virus and another 2-4 million out of work due to long COVID.
Unions have seized on this dissatisfaction to build momentum in the labor movement, with successful strikes across many industries and organizers starting to organize workforces that had previously been non-union.
However, union membership has been down over several decades in the US. As a result, pay hasn’t kept pace with worker productivity, and income distribution has become more unequal over time. It’s really not hard to see this influence when you plot these trends against each other.
It’s quite clear that lower union membership has resulted in lower inflation-adjusted compensation for workers, even as productivity has skyrocketed. As workers have produced more and more value for their companies, those earnings have gone more and more to their bosses rather than to the workers who produce that value. It all began in the ’80s, around the time of Reagan – a timeline that should be familiar to those who study social ills in America.
All of this isn’t just true in the US but also internationally. If you look at other countries with high levels of labor organization, they tend to have more fair wealth distribution across the economy and more ability for workers to get their fair share.
We’re seeing this in Sweden right now, as Tesla workers are still striking for better conditions. Since Sweden has 90% collective bargaining coverage, it tends to have a happy and well-paid workforce, and it seems clear that these two things are correlated. That strike is still continuing, but Tesla CEO Elon Musk – who just fired 14,000 people while holding the company hostage and begging for a $55 billion payday for himself which he’s even spending Tesla ad money to pitch – is seemingly uninterested in negotiating.
These are all reasons why, as I’ve mentioned in many of these UAW-related articles, I’m pro-union. And I think everyone should be – it only makes sense that people should have their interests collectively represented and that people should be able to join together to support each other and exercise their power collectively instead of individually.
This is precisely what companies do with industry organizations, lobby organizations, chambers of commerce, and so on. And it’s what people do when sorting themselves into local, state, or national governments. So naturally, workers should do the same. It’s just fair.
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Environment
Prime Day-1 Green Deals: Lectric’s new XP Trike2, EcoFlow, Segway e-bikes, ECOVACS robot mowers, Anker SOLIX, and much more
Amazon’s Prime Day is in full swing through the rest of the week, and we’ve got a jam-packed edition of Green Deals for you today from the first round of savings that we’ve spotted so far, with all the rest being added to our Prime Day Green Deals hub here, which we’ll be updating regularly. Leading the pack is the preorder launch of Lectric’s new XP Trike2 that is getting $227 in free gear at $1,499 through July 28th. We also have some EcoFlow direct-website Prime Day savings, like the DELTA Pro 3 bundle with a 400W panel and a transfer switch at a new $2,849 low, among others. There’s also the new low price hitting Segway’s Xafari e-bike for $2,000, while the Xyber e-bike is down at $3,000. All that and much more are waiting for you below.
Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.
Lectric launches new and improved XP Trike2 with $227 in free gear for preorder at $1,499
As part of Lectric’s newly launched Better Than Prime Sale, the brand is offering preorder savings on its all-new XP Trike2 that comes with $227 in free gear at $1,499 shipped, while the upgraded 750 model won’t be available for preorder until September. This bundle would normally cost $1,726 in full, but as most folks know, the brand tends to provide discounts on the bundled items over actual price cuts. This all-new commuting solution is getting the first chance at savings through July 28th, when it is slated to begin shipping. Along with the eTrike, you’ll be getting a wider saddle with a supporting backrest, an Elite headlight, and a suspension seat post. Head below to learn more about this model and its upcoming 750 variant too.
The next generation of one of the most popular eTrikes on the market, especially amongst older riders, Lectric’s new XP Trike2 cruises onto the scene with a Stealth M24 500W rear hub motor (peaking at 1,092W) that runs quieter than normal motors, as well as a 624Wh battery. This combination provides top speeds of 14 MPH and a travel range of up to 50 miles on a single charge when the five PAS levels are activated. If you haven’t ridden in a while and want to take things slow, there is a power-limiting preset feature that dials down its max speed until you’re ready.
There’s a bunch of notable upgrades coming with the Lectric XP Trike2, like the Cloud 50 suspension fork to take pressure off your joints, as well as hydraulic brakes for guaranteed stopping power, a headlight and taillight that provides amber side lighting, turn signals, brake lighting, plus reflective tires – all in the name of keeping you seen and safe. You’ll also be getting puncture-resistant tires with fenders over each, a 20A internal controller with an IPX5 water-resistance rating, parking brakes, a rear cargo rack with a 75-pound payload, a half-twist throttle, a new TFT LCD display, keyless riding functionality, and more.
Now, if you want to hold off for the upgraded Lectric XP Trike2 750 model, there are a few key differences to consider. First, it will be available at $1,799 shipped come September, with a larger 840Wh battery and Stealth M24 750W rear hub motor (peaking at 1,310W) that provide increased 17 MPH top speeds and a travel range up to 70 miles with the pedal assistance activated. From there, the big changeup comes from the inclusion of the brand’s Quick Switch tech that allows you to switch between cadence and torque sensors.
Get $2,448 in savings on EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro 3 bundle with a 400W panel and transfer switch at new $2,849 low
EcoFlow has switched to its full Prime Day Sale event running through July 11 with up to 62% discounts (and a bonus 5% savings) across a massive lineup of units. Three offers can be found only on the brand’s direct site, with the biggest deal amongst them being the DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station bundled with a 400W solar panel and transfer switch for $2,849.05 shipped, after using the code EFPDAFF5 at checkout for an additional 5% off. This package would normally run you $5,297 at full price, which we’ve only seen brought as low as $3,499 back in its Memorial Day sale. The deal here gives you more savings than ever, putting $2,448 back in your pocket for the best new price we have tracked.
Check out the full post and all the included bundles in our original coverage here.
Segway’s Xafari and Xyber e-bikes with Apple Find My, proximity locking, more are starting from a new $2,000 low
Running parallel to Amazon’s Prime Day Sale event, Segway has some limited-time discounts of up to $400 on its two new e-bikes. Through July 11, you can score the Xafari e-bike at $1,999.99 shipped, while the Xyber e-bike is down at $2,999.99 shipped. Normally fetching $2,400 and $3,300, respectively, we’ve only seen previous post-launch discounts hitting these models once before at the top of June, when their prices were brought down to $2,200 and $3,000. While the low price is returning for the Xyber e-bike, the Xafari is seeing even lower pricing for this event that saves you $400 off the tag at the new best rate we have tracked.
Get the full rundown on what you can expect from these models in our original coverage here.
Save $600 on ECOVACS’ AI-supported Goat A2500 robot mower at new $1,100 low for Prime Day
As part of its Prime Day event, Amazon is offering the price yet on the new ECOVACS Goat A2500 RTK Robot Lawn Mower dropping to $1,199.99 shipped during this event. This new model has spent most of the time since its release earlier in the year keeping to its $2,000 full price, which we’ve seen brought down as low as $1,500 with discounts so far. During this seasonal event, we’re seeing things go even lower thanks to the 30% markdown that is cutting $600 off the tag, landing it at the best price we have tracked.
Get the full rundown on what you can expect from this new model in our original coverage here.
Anker’s new modular SOLIX F3000 3,072Wh LiFePO4 station gets up to $2,599 increased savings from a new $1,599 low
Anker SOLIX has officially launched its full Prime Day Sale with up to 57% discounts, bonus savings, free gifts, and more through July 11. Among the deals we’re seeing, the brand’s new SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station is getting increased savings up to 2,599 off, with things starting at the solo power station for $1,519.05 shipped, after using the code PDSG5OFF at checkout. which is also matching in price at Amazon. Outside of these initial savings, this new unit will carry a $2,599 price tag, which is reduced from the $900 $1,080 markdown that lands it at a new low price. What’s more, the brand is also offering reduced add-on accessory discounts (on the station’s landing page), giving folks the chance to pick up the home backup kit for just $99 (normally $399) and/or the 120V generator input adapter at $49 (normally $99) – adding on an additional $350 savings should you take the opportunity.
Get the full rundown on what you can expect from this new model, as well as the pricing on its bundles in our original coverage here.
Get $2,200+ savings on Greenworks’ 60V Crossover-Z riding mower with six 8Ah batteries at a new $2,797 low
As part of its Prime Day Competitor Sale, Walmart is offering the best pricing yet on the Greenworks 60V Crossover-Z 42-inch Cordless Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower with six 8Ah batteries and three dual port turbo chargers at $2,797 shipped. Normally, this package would run you $5,600 direct from the brand’s website, where it’s currently marked down to $5,319, but fetches $4,997 at Walmart. The already significant difference in price only gets better with the $2,200 markdown we’re seeing during this sale that beats out all the pricing we’ve seen up until today to land it at a new all-time low. You won’t find this package at Amazon, where only the bundle with four 8Ah batteries is offered – plus, that’s sitting nearly $1,000 higher in price, so you’re getting a lot more here for a lot less.
Learn more about this riding mower in our original coverage here.
Get $100 in first savings on Aiper’s IrriSense smart irrigation system that covers 4,800 square feet at $600
Through its official Amazon storefront, Aiper is offering the first chance at savings on its new IrriSense Smart Irrigation System at $599.99 shipped, after clipping the on-page $100 off coupon, with the price matching direct from the brand’s website. This new device just hit the scene back in May with a $700 price tag, with the deal we’re seeing here from both Amazon and the brand’s direct site being the first chance at cash savings that we have tracked. You’ll be able to upgrade your irrigation with a smarter alternative at $100 off while it lasts, setting the bar for future deals down the line.
Learn more about this all-new release and what it can do in our original coverage here.
Best Summer EV deals!
- Ford Bronco e-bike (use code PDSG5OFF): $4,000 (Reg. $4,500)
- Ford Mustang e-bike (use code PDSG5OFF): $3,500 (Reg. $4,000)
- Aventon Ramblas Electric Mountain Bike: $2,599 (Reg. $2,899)
- Heybike Hero Carbon Fiber All-Terrain 750W mid-drive e-bike: $2,599 (Reg. $3,099)
- Ride1Up Prodigy v2 Brose Mid-Drive Gates Belt CVT e-bike: $2,595 (Reg. $2,795)
- Velotric Nomad 2X Multi-Terrain Camo e-bike with $50 bundle: $2,499 (No price cut)
- Ride1Up Revv 1 DRT Off-Road Moped-Style e-bike: $2,495 (Reg. $2,595)
- Ride1Up Revv 1 Full Suspension Moped-Style e-bike: $2,395 (Reg. $2,595)
- Heybike Hero Carbon Fiber All-Terrain 1,000W rear-hub e-bike: $2,299 (Reg. $2,599)
- Ride1Up Prodigy v2 Brose Mid-Drive 9-Speed e-bike: $2,095 (Reg. $2,495)
- Velotric Nomad 2 All-Terrain e-bike with $120 bundle (new model): $1,999 (No price cut)
- Rad Power Radster Road Commuter e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Rad Power Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 35Ah Cargo e-bike w/ up to $703 bundle: $1,999 (Reg. $2,702)
- Tenways AGO X All-Terrain e-bike with $307 bundle: $1,899 (Reg. $2,499)
- Velotric Breeze 1 Cruiser e-bike with $150 bundle (new model): $1,799 (No price cut)
- Aventon Pace 4 Smart Cruiser e-bike (new model, first discount): $1,699 (Reg. $1,799)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 26Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $554 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,253)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Long-Range Off-Road e-bike with $316 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $1,915)
- Aventon Abound Cargo e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,999)
- Aventon Aventure 2 All-Terrain e-bike (2025 low): $1,599 (Reg. $1,999)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Standard Off-Road e-bike with $227 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,726)
- Lectric XP Trike2 with $227 preorder bundle (through July 28): $1,499 (Reg. $1,726)
- Tenways CGO600 Pro e-bikes with $118 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Velotric Nomad 1 Plus All-Terrain e-bike with $69 bundle : $1,399 (Reg. $1,899)
- Fold 1 Plus e-bike with $120 bundle (new model): $1,499 (No price cut)
- Lectric XP Trike with $405 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,904)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 13Ah Cargo e-bike with $326 bundle: $1,399 (Reg. $1,725)
- Aventon Level 2 Commuter e-bike (2025 low): $1,399 (Reg. $1,899)
- Ride1Up Roadster V3 Lightweight Premium e-bike: $1,395 (Reg. $1,495)
- Velotric T1 ST Plus e-bike with $82 bundle (2025 low): $1,299 (Reg. $1,649)
- Lectric XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes with $336 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,635)
- Lectric XP4 750 LR Folding Utility e-bikes with $356 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,655)
- Heybike Brawn Off-Road e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,799)
- Velotric Discover 1 Plus Commuter e-bike with $83 bundle (2025 low): $1,199 (Reg. $1,699)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 JW Black LR e-bike with $414 bundle: $1,099 (Reg. $1,513)
- Ride1Up Portola Folding e-bike with BOGO accessory promo: $995 (Reg. $1,095)
- Lectric XP4 Standard Folding Utility e-bikes with $79 bundle: $999 (Reg. $1,078)
- Lectric XP 3.0 Long-Range e-bikes (clearance price cut): $999 (Reg. $1,199)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with up to $414 bundles: $999 (Reg. $1,413)
- Heybike Hauler Single-Battery Cargo e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,499)
- Rad Power RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike (new low): $999 (Reg. $1,599)
- Navee ST3 Pro Electric Scooter (new model): $760 (Reg. $1,014)
- Fold 1 Lite e-bike (new all-time low): $599 (Reg. $1,099)
- Navee GT3 Pro Electric Scooter (new model): $520 (Reg. $714)
Best new Green Deals landing this week
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
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Ford has a new idea to help you save this summer: $0 down payment, 0% interest, and zero payments for the first 90 days. The new summer sales promo is available on most Ford and Lincoln models. Those buying an electric vehicle can also score a free home EV charger.
In April, Ford launched the “From America, For America” campaign, offering employee pricing to all. According to Ford, the offer helped make it the number one selling brand in America in the first half of 2025.
Despite the success, Ford is shaking it up for the second half of the year. Starting July 8, Ford is transitioning to its new “Zero, Zero, Zero” offer.
The summer sales promo features a $0 down payment, 0% interest for 48 months, and zero payments for the first 90 days on most Ford and Lincoln vehicles.
Although the employee pricing plan turned out to be a success, Ford dealers said buyers could benefit from less out-of-pocket expenses.
Those shopping for an EV can also score a free home charge. Ford extended its Power Promise program through September 30.
The program offers buyers a free Level 2 home charger (plus standard installation) and other perks like 24/7 live electric vehicle support, roadside assistance, and an 8-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty.
Despite strong overall sales in the second quarter, Ford’s EV sales fell by nearly a third. Ford spokesperson Martin Gunsberg told Electrek the lower EV sales were due to the Mustang Mach-E recall and changeover to the 2025 model year. “Our dealers can’t sell what they don’t have,” he said.
Although the Trump administration is ending the federal EV tax credit, you still have until September 30 to snag the savings on eligible models.
Ready to test one out for yourself? You can use our links below to find deals on the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning at a dealer near you.
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