Governor Kay Ivey attended a sold-out State of the State Luncheon hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce on Monday afternoon before a crowd of more than 1,000. In her remarks, Governor Ivey spoke about the auto manufacturing industry and its importance to the state.

“When we think about what drives our success as a state, the industry that comes to mind is auto manufacturing, which is one of our state's pinnacle industries,” she said.

The governor cited the UAW's ongoing efforts to unionize the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, near Tuscaloosa.

“Let's be clear,” Ivey told the audience, “Alabama is not Michigan. Huntsville and Tuscaloosa are not Detroit. While other automakers are closing plants and cutting jobs, our manufacturers here in Alabama continue to grow and thrive.”

“As governor, it will be my number one priority to keep that going.”

Governor Ivey announced that she had signed Senate Bill 231, introduced by State Senator Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) and State Representative Scott Stutthagen (R-Hartselle), which would ensure ballot privacy for unionization votes.

“This week in Tuscaloosa, there will be a secret ballot at the Mercedes plant from today through Friday, and we hope every worker there will vote. It's important that every voice is heard.”

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“We want to ensure that Alabama values, not Detroit values, continue to define the future of our great state.”

“I'm proud to have signed Senate Bill 231 into law. Introduced by Senator Arthur Orr from North Alabama, this bill would require all businesses that receive incentives to hold secret ballot elections. This is a given, folks, so that every vote is counted.”

“My message is clear: I will stand up for Alabamians and protect our jobs.”

She vowed that Alabama would remain defiant in the face of ongoing unionization efforts by Detroit interests.

“We will not allow this threat from Detroit to thwart our progress, to thwart our hopes, to stifle the prosperity of our people.”

Austin Shipley is a staff writer for Yellow Hammer News.