Pro-union group requests investigation of Webasto for alleged anti-union efforts at Detroit plant

Webasto Group facility in Fenton Township, Michigan. Photo by Jon King.

A German-based auto parts manufacturer is facing another complaint about alleged union busting activities at its Detroit plant.

LaborLab, a self-described “watchdog dedicated to safeguarding workers’ right to organize,” filed a request Tuesday with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) asking for an investigation into potential violations of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) on the part of both the Webasto-Detroit auto parts plant, part of the international Webasto Group, and Labor Consulting Group, a Detroit-based “labor relations” firm that touts its “impressive track record of successfully countering union efforts nationwide.”

Webasto-Detroit workers filed July 29 for an election on whether to be represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW). That election is scheduled for Sept. 9 and 10. 

Webasto-Detroit workers say company is violating labor law to bust union activity

In the meantime, workers at the Detroit facility have since filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging the company was implementing rules and procedures intended on intimidating employees. Additionally, UAW officials plan to bring their concerns about “illegal anti-union behavior” directly to Webasto officials in Germany this week.

In its request, LaborLab said Webasto-Detroit appeared to have stepped-up efforts at combating the union by hiring Labor Consulting Group, noting that in 2023, Webasto spent over $350,000 fighting union campaigns. 

“It is likely that Webasto has already exceeded that amount this year, although confirmation will only come once Webasto files its LM-21 at the end of the fiscal year,” stated the request, referring to the federal disclosure form for any payments made by companies used to persuade workers about their rights to unionize. 

“This aggressive stance on unionization necessitates a thorough investigation by OLMS, which is responsible for ensuring that corporations and union-busters comply with disclosure rules designed to empower and inform workers,” said the LaborLab complaint.

When asked for comment by the Michigan Advance, Webasto officials said they were reviewing the complaint.

“At Webasto, we hold our culture and values in high regard, which includes fostering a direct and open dialogue with our team members,” said Anna Franziska Müller, vice president of Communications, Marketing & Brand for Webasto Group. “Our goal is to make sure our employees are informed and have the facts they need to make an important decision when they vote next week. Our priority remains to uphold a workplace environment that is fair, respectful and empowering for all – and we look forward to continuing to meet that goal during this election process.”

Among the issues that LaborLab’s complaint and request for investigation focused on were allegations that Webasto attempted to mislead workers about organizing efforts, pointing to a previous statement the company provided to the Advance that they had decided to work with an “objective, third-party company…offering comprehensive labor education seminars,” to workers.  

LaborLab described the claim that Labor Consulting Group, a firm it claimed had a “pattern of evading” rules, as being objective was as “as disingenuous as it is absurd,” and said the fact that Webasto-Detroit made such claims only highlighted the company’s “willingness to withhold relevant information from workers.”

Another issue that LaborLab highlighted in its complaint were reports that Webasto-Detroit had engaged in surveillance and information gathering regarding employees, insisting that any such practices legally had to be disclosed.

“Given the far-reaching and aggressive tactics employed by the Webasto Group and the potential evasion of the law, we request a prompt investigation into these matters to ensure that hundreds of workers can participate in the upcoming NLRB election with full access to the information they are entitled to,” concluded the LaborLab complaint.

In May, workers at the Webasto-Pilot Road plant in Plymouth ratified their first contract with a 96% approval margin, which included raises of up to 51% over three years, along with better benefits, and improved attendance policies.