Yet Merrill and his supporters feel overwhelmed by the UAW's well-financed organizing machine and openly wonder how long they can muster a counter campaign. This campaign has a lot to do with it. It's a distraction we really don't need as we prepare to launch the 2000 M-class. Jackson was reinstated by a panel of his peers and management, but says he was reassigned to a lesser job as punishment. We need a better system of checks and balances.
Friendships suffer The campaign is taking a toll on personal relationships among workers.
Merrill and Roger Hester, a 39-year old electrician and maintenance worker, quickly became good friends when the plant opened in early 1996. Along with their wives, the two regularly vacation together, including a trip early this year in Cozumel, Mexico. Ala. But things changed several weeks ago when Hester, a United Mine Worker for 16 years before joining Mercedes-Benz, signed a union card. Hester says he was genuinely undecided until the opposition group was formed. Mercedes' multicraft approach has taught me a lot.