Workers at Alabama factory vote against union representation
The election results were certified by the National Labor Relations Board on May 15.
Ethan Parker 
Workers at the Sherwin-Williams Packaging Coatings Group factory in Birmingham have voted against union representation following a closely contested two-day election.
Election Outcome
According to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the election—which involved 83 eligible full-time and part-time production, maintenance, and quality employees—resulted in a 36-35 vote against joining the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. With 71 ballots cast, the results were officially certified by the board on May 15.
The NLRB confirmed that no labor organization received a majority, meaning no union will serve as the exclusive representative for the facility's workforce. There have been no objections filed regarding the vote.
Legal Perspectives
The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, which provided legal representation for employee Jacob Miller, praised the outcome. Foundation president Mark Mix stated that workers exercised their legal right to terminate the presence of the union at their workplace.
Attempts to contact the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers for comment were unsuccessful. The union currently represents roughly 50,000 workers across heavy industry, mining, railroads, and manufacturing.
Union Activity in Alabama
This vote arrives amid a broader trend of increased labor activity across Alabama. Other notable recent efforts in the state include the push for unionization at Amazon’s Bessemer fulfillment center, the protracted strike at Warrior Met Coal, and ongoing efforts by employees to unionize Starbucks locations across the region.
