FAQs
Curious to learn more? Below are answers to common questions about what’s happening with last year’s election and what’s happening now with the union. If you have a question that is not answered here, submit it using the “Ask a Question” feature.
Election Updates: What's New in 2025
On May 17, 2024, a majority of Team Members voted against unionizing with United Auto Workers (UAW). After the election, UAW filed objections and unfair labor practices (ULPs) with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to try and overturn the results. The NLRB can’t certify or “approve” the election outcome until they resolve each of UAW’s objections, and there is not a deadline for this process.
UAW is still trying to dismiss the results of your vote. The outcome of last year’s election is still being determined by the NLRB. In the meantime, UAW is trying to collect enough union authorization cards from Team Members now to request a new election any time after May 17, 2025.
Yes. Each election is a clean slate. If there were to be another election, your vote from last year’s election does not count towards the new election.
It depends. The union can attempt to organize the majority of the MBUSI workforce like it did in 2024, or it can submit a petition for election for a smaller group of people in just one shop, or on just one line.
Yes, you have a say in what’s happening. If you are approached by a union organizer, you have the right to either sign or refuse to sign a union authorization card if asked. You should be aware that union authorization cards are legally binding documents, so it’s important to be thoughtful about what you sign. If another election is held and your role is part of the proposed group of employees the union is trying to organize, you would be eligible to vote in that election to decide whether or not to unionize.
Changes for Team Members
Following the election, the status quo period ended and MBUSI has been able to make positive changes for Team Members
In 2024, we increased the starting rate for Production Team Members, and adjusted the 4-year pay progression curves accordingly. The starting and top-out pay for Maintenance Team Members also increased by the same percentages.
With these increases, MBUSI maintains its position as being home to some of the highest paid jobs in the state of Alabama and we are committed to making sure our compensation is among the highest of our peers in the automotive industry—not just here in Alabama, but across the country.
We believe in giving back to Team Members in recognition of their hard work, and to show this, in 2024 we increased our attendance bonus, added new quarterly SDQCM bonuses, and a new profit-sharing bonus.
Yes! In 2024 we removed benefit tiers and surcharges to make coverage more equitable and affordable, and there will be no premium increases in 2025. We also increased our new parent leave benefit so that Team Members can enjoy more time with their growing families without the worry of financial strain.
And to make sure Team Members are aware of all that is covered by our benefits plan, we’ve dedicated more time to educating Team Members so that they can take full advantage of these benefits.
We’ve added a new role to HR called Team Member Advocates. They are here to provide Team Members with more timely, dedicated support when they have questions or concerns.
Signature Requests from the Union
A union authorization card is a legally binding document that the union gets Team Members to sign – it can be a paper card, digital form, or even look like a petition or meeting sign-in sheet. It states that the union has the right to speak for you at work.
Unions use signed authorization cards to prove they have the support they need to file for a petition or election from the people they are trying to organize. Once a union has signatures from at least 30% of the group it’s trying to organize, it can take action. This is why your signature is very important to the union.
It depends whether the union is trying to include your position in the group it’s trying to organize this time around and when you signed the card. The rules say the union can keep a signed authorization card for one year before it expires – as long as the union did not use that signed card to support a previously filed petition.
No. It is your right to sign or not sign a union authorization card. You don’t have to sign for more information and just like last time, you don’t have to sign to vote in an election, should we have one.
If someone is bothering you at work or home, you have the right to ask them to stop. If you feel like your rights are not being respected and that you are being pressured into signing a card, you can contact the National Labor Relations Board regional office at (205) 933-3018.
Yes. The union has contact information for most Team Members as we were legally required to share it last year before the election. It’s possible they could use this information to show up at your house or contact you in other ways to try and get you to sign a card. You have the right to ask them to leave or to stop contacting you.
No. Just like last year, if you are part of the group the union is seeking to represent (called the bargaining unit) you would be eligible to vote, regardless of whether or not you signed a union authorization card.
If you signed a union authorization card and changed your mind, you can ask the union to return your card, but since it is a legally binding document, the union doesn’t have to return it to you.
Dues
According to the UAW Constitution, monthly dues equal 2.5x a member’s hourly rate. For example, for a Team Member making $37 per hour, dues would be $92.50 per month. Team Members making more than this would pay more in dues. Additionally, the UAW charges 1.44% in dues on any lump sum payments such as team share and quarterly bonuses. How much you pay in dues is not negotiated, and the union can choose to increase your dues at any time. Dues are deducted from your paycheck after taxes and paid directly to the union.
Because Alabama is a Right-to-Work state, individual Team Members have the right to refuse to be a union membership and to pay dues. The union, however, will expect you to pay dues.
Pay & Benefits
No, unions can’t guarantee the promises they are making. If there were a union, all pay (including bonuses) and benefits are subject to negotiation, and there are no guarantees. You could end up with more, the same, or less than what you currently have.
No. Your current pay and benefits would be subject to negotiations and there are no guarantees. Even the NLRB acknowledges that negotiations can be risky: “Collective bargaining is potentially hazardous for employees, and as a result of such negotiations, employees might possibly wind up with less benefits after unionization than before.” (228 NLRB 440)
Can a union guarantee better pay and benefits?
No. If the union is voted in, all pay (including bonuses) and benefits are subject to negotiation, and there are no guarantees. You could end up with more, the same, or less than what you currently have.
Am I guaranteed to at least maintain the pay and benefits that I have now?
No. Your current pay and benefits would be subject to negotiations and there are no guarantees. Even the NLRB acknowledges that negotiations can be risky: “Collective bargaining is potentially hazardous for employees, and as a result of such negotiations, employees might possibly wind up with less benefits after unionization than before.” (228 NLRB 440)
How would having a union impact retirement insurance for Team Members who started before January 1, 2009?
As with other benefits, this would be subject to negotiation and there are no guarantees.
If I vote "NO," but the union is elected, will my benefits be different from those who voted "YES"?
No. Union contracts are “one size fits all.” This means you will have the same benefits as someone who voted YES, whether you are happy with the benefits or not.
What does “status quo” mean for pay and benefits?
From the time a union files a petition until a labor contract is reached, MBUSI must maintain “status quo,” which means the company cannot make any improvements to pay, benefits, schedules, or other terms and conditions of employment. This “status quo” period will last until a contract is reached with the union, which can take months or even years. The current average time to reach a first contract with a union is 465 days.
Strikes
Yes. If the UAW authorizes a strike, it can require members to go out on strike and fine members who choose to work instead of participating in the strike.
No, striking employees do not get paid by their employer during a strike. And, you will not be eligible to collect unemployment while on strike.
Yes, if MBUSI is able to continue production during any union-ordered work stoppage, you will still be able to work.
Can the UAW require members to go out on strike?
Yes. If the UAW authorizes a strike, it can require members to go out on strike and fine members who choose to work instead of participating in the strike.
Will I still get paid by MBUSI if I am on strike?
No, striking employees do not get paid by their employer during a strike. And, you will not be eligible to collect unemployment while on strike.
Will I still be able to work if the union goes on strike?
Yes, if MBUSI is able to continue production during any union-ordered work stoppage, you will still be able to work.
Day-to-Day Changes
MBUSI would reserve the right to manage the day-to-day operations of the company. However, any concerns related to pay, benefits, schedules, and other terms and conditions of employment in any labor contract would need to be directed to the union or union steward rather than to your Group Leader.
Group Leaders would not be part of the union. They would still oversee the day-to-day operations of their teams; however, they could be limited by a contract when it comes to issues related to pay, benefits, schedules, and other terms and conditions of employment for unionized Team Members.
A union (or shop) steward is a fellow Team Member who is appointed to be the representative for all Team Members in the bargaining unit. Sometimes, Team Members can vote for who will be their union steward, but sometimes the union appoints a steward, usually the most vocal union supporter. The union steward fields all Team Member grievances and decides what to escalate. Often, they have access to confidential Team Member information.
The union may attempt to negotiate who is prioritized for preferred jobs based on criteria such as seniority, but nothing is guaranteed.
How would having a union impact our day-to-day operations?
MBUSI would reserve the right to manage the day-to-day operations of the company. However, any concerns related to pay, benefits, schedules, and other terms and conditions of employment in any labor contract would need to be directed to the union or union steward rather than to your Group Leader.
How would having a union impact leader positions?
Group Leaders would not be part of the union. They would still oversee the day-to-day operations of their teams; however, they would no longer have the ability to work directly with Team Members on issues related to pay, benefits, schedules, and other terms and conditions of employment.
What is a union (or shop) steward?
A union (or shop) steward is a fellow Team Member who is appointed to be the representative for all Team Members in the bargaining unit. Sometimes, Team Members can vote for who will be their union steward, but sometimes the union appoints a steward, usually the most vocal union supporter. The union steward fields all Team Member grievances and decides what to escalate. Often, they have access to confidential Team Member information.
How would having a union impact contractors?
The union did not seek to include contractors in the group of workers it wants to represent. Therefore, contractors would not be represented by the union even if the union is voted in.
Would a union change who gets preferred jobs?
The union may attempt to negotiate who is prioritized for preferred jobs based on criteria such as seniority, but nothing is guaranteed.