Workers at two Mercedes-Benz factories in Alabama have voted against joining the United Auto Workers, the largest autoworkers union in the U.S., a blow to an effort to strengthen the presence of organized labor in the South. The Friday vote was seen as a bellwether for the ability of newly resurgent labor groups to successfully organize in a part of the country known for keeping union activity at bay. The final count was 2,045 in favor and 2,642 against, according to the National Labor Relations Board. In remarks following the vote, UAW President Shawn Fain praised the workers as ‘courageous’ but acknowledged the outcome as a ‘setback.’ ‘They want justice. They lead us, they lead this fight. And that’s what this is all about,’ Fain said, adding the workers already won key concessions from Mercedes in the run-up to the vote. ‘Justice isn’t just about one vote or one campaign. It’s…
