The UAW announced that workers at Webasto Detroit, a producer of hard top roofs for the Ford Bronco and roof components for other Detroit Three vehicles, voted 276-133 to form a union in a National Labor Relations Board election.
According to the UAW, the plant workers spent more than two years organizing before the election, alleging favoritism, management bullying, overwork and scheduling issues. The Detroit Free Press reported that the employees and company have not scheduled a formal bargaining date.
“I’m thrilled we finally won our union," Quality Technician Shara Bell said. “I’ve worked at Webasto for many years. We’re overworked and underpaid. We’re the ones who make money for the company. For too long, we’ve gotten nothing but disrespect from management. I’m ready for some mutual respect."
The UAW said the vote reflects a growing movement among auto supply workers forming unions at their facilities. Employees at Webasto Pilot Road in Plymouth, Michigan, unionized with the UAW in 2023 and ratified their first contract in 2024.
The Detroit Free Press reported that Germany-based Webasto Group recently carried out multiple rounds of layoffs in Michigan, including nearly 350 job cuts near Detroit in 2024 and 2025. The company also plans to close another Detroit-area factory, which it expects to cut 244 more jobs.
Webasto did not respond to Manufacturing.net's request for comment.
