The United Auto Workers' defeat in a representation election at Volkswagen's auto plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., in February hasn't stopped the union from trying out a new model for locals in the South. Adding to the one they set up since the loss in Tennessee, workers created a new-model local at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, Ala.

But not all foreign car-makers want to work with their workers in U.S. “transplant” plants. So a delegation of international union leaders, led by members of IndustriALL, has arrived at the Nissan plant in Canton, Miss., in early October to probe reported workers' rights abuses and working conditions there. UAW is also trying to organize the Canton workers.

Like new UAW Local 42 for some of the VW workers in Chattanooga, Local 112 at the Mercedes plant will represent only those who want to sign up.  The local's role, while based on European “works council” models, does not include a formal contract for the whole plant.

The workers formed Local 112 on Oct. 3. They received support from the Daimler World Employee Committee – the federation of unions at all other Mercedes plants – and the German automotive trade union IG Metall. Vance is the only non-union Mercedes-Benz plant worldwide. The others, including a 7,000-worker truck plant in North Carolina, are unionized.

“Local 112 offers workers the opportunity for a voice in the workplace that aligns with Daimler AG's global commitment to the German principle of 'co-determination' between management and employees. Local 112 will represent any interested employees who join the local as members. No employees will be required to join,” the UAW said in a statement.

"Mercedes-Benz is one of the most storied brands in the history of the global automotive industry, and that's in large part because of the company's workers," UAW President Dennis Williams said. "It's time for the committed and hard-working employees...to have the same representation Daimler employees enjoy around the world.  It's the right thing to do. Plus, it will improve productivity and quality, ensuring success for both the company and the workforce.”

"We are asking Daimler to respect our right to representation and give the same opportunities to Alabama's working families that have been extended to our counterparts elsewhere in the U.S. and around the world," Rodney Bowens, who works in quality at the Vance plant's body and paint shops, told UAW.  "Our hope is management will recognize the importance of today's announcement and welcome our new local union into the Daimler family."

Meanwhile, the international delegation visited the Nissan plant in Canton on Oct. 9 and 10. A special board released a report earlier this year about workers' rights violations there. 

“For years, workers have weathered an environment of intimidation and implied threats from the company regarding the fundamental, internationally recognized human right to organize a union,” the union group said before arriving.  The Nissan and Renault plant union leaders from Great Britain, Japan, Brazil, France, Spain, Soth Africa and Workers Uniting (Canada-U.K-Ireland-U.S.) also sought a meeting with Nissan management while in Mississippi.   

The People's World contributed material for this story.