US UNION the United Auto Workers (UAW) has called on the country’s National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) to annul the result of last week’s failed recognition ballot at an Alabama Mercedes-Benz plant.

It wants the NLRB to order a new election, citing illegal anti-union activity by the German car manufacturer ahead of the vote, in which 56 per cent of workers voted against unionisation.

“Over 2,000 Mercedes workers voted yes to win their union after an unprecedented, illegal anti-union campaign waged against them by their employer. What that tells us is that in a fair fight, where Mercedes is held accountable to following the law, workers will win their union,” UAW says.