BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A judge with the National Labor Relations Board is considering a complaint filed by union supporters at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama.
The Tuscaloosa News reports a hearing being conducted this week in Birmingham focuses on the complaints of union backers who work at the factory in Vance.
They contend the company is violating their rights by preventing them from talking freely with co-workers about forming a union at the auto plant.
Mercedes-Benz denies the allegation. The company says it is neutral on whether employees should join the United Auto Workers.
The union has tried and failed in the past to organize employees at the Mercedes plant.
Three workers told the federal panel that the company restricts the places where workers are allowed to talk about unionizing.