Majority vote 'no' in Amazon union vote

Amazon on Friday secured enough votes to defeat the unionization drive at one of its Alabama warehouses, delivering a blow to organized labor who hoped to unionize a U.S. Amazon facility for the first time.

Of the 3,215 ballots cast, there were 1,798 votes opposing the union and 738 in favor. Approximately 5,800 workers at the Bessemer warehouse were eligible to vote on whether to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union.

In order to defeat the union, Amazon needed to garner 1,608 votes, or a little more than 50% of the ballots cast. The margin of victory is larger than the approximately 500 challenged ballots, which would have only been tallied if they would’ve swayed the outcome of the election. The election result still needs to be formally certified by the Nationa Labor Relations Board.

The RWDSU said it plans to challenge the election results. The union said it intends to file objections over Amazon’s election conduct with the NLRB, as well as a number of unfair labor practice charges, alleging that “Amazon interfered with the rights of its Bessemer, Alabama employees to vote in a free and fair election.”

The unionization effort in Alabama transformed into a protracted labor battle at Amazon, with the company hiring the same law firm it used to assist with negotiations during a failed union drive in Delaware in 2014. Amazon also made its position on the union campaign clear to workers at the Bessemer facility, by holding mandatory meetings, setting up a website urging workers to “do it without dues” and distributing pamphlets instructing workers to “Vote NO” on the historic election.

The union specifically called out a mailbox that was installed in front of the Bessemer facility, including claims that it was placed there by the U.S. Postal Service at the direction of Amazon. The company said the mailbox was intended to make it more convenient for workers to vote, adding that only the the Postal Service had access to the mailbox.

In a statement, RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum said Amazon “left no stone unturned in its efforts to gaslight its own employees.”

“We won’t let Amazon’s lies, deception and illegal activities go unchallenged, which is why we are formally filing charges against all of the egregious and blatantly illegal actions taken by Amazon during the union vote,” Appelbaum said. “We demand a comprehensive investigation over Amazon’s behavior in corrupting this election.”

Amazon said in a statement that “the union will say that Amazon won this election because we intimidated employees, but that’s not true.”

“Our employees heard far more anti-Amazon messages from the union, policymakers, and media outlets than they heard from us,” the company said. “And Amazon didn’t win — our employees made the choice to vote against joining a union.”

Both RWDSU and Amazon held news conferences following the result, with employees from the Bessemer warehouse, known as BHM1, in attendance.

The challenges are likely to kick off a protracted legal fight surrounding whether Amazon engaged in anti-union conduct that prevented the possibility of a fair election. The RWDSU said it’s prepared to submit evidence to the NLRB in support of complaints that Amazon violated labor laws.

The vote caps off months of intense campaigning by both Amazon and the RWDSU. In November, workers at the Bessemer facility filed notice to hold a union election. RWDSU organizers were stationed outside the Bessemer facility daily, hoping to catch Amazon employees on their way out of work.

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[kennycarpenter]

I work 43 years for union hundred dollars a month when I retired they said go to our website.org maybe somebody there could help you with your problems losers all they want is your money good for the Amazon workers

[c.w.simpsonproductions]

This vote was bull. Amazon was pretty much threatening to replace anyone who voted yes.

[toddmazzitelli]

WTF? I know this has been 3 months ago but why would anyone vote no!?! Stupid is as stupid does? I have it pretty good so a better life just isn't possible? Why are people just accepting the status quo?

[nyrsfqh]

I worked for a company where only the least productive and most troublesome workers voted for the union. The better workers said it’s a waste to pay the union dues, as they could get a job somewhere else if they need to. Now people could easily move across countries and even continents to work, unions will continue to go out of favor.

[catsumrs]

When will people learn to stand together and not listen to the big guy, who lies through their teeth. I can see again not in this case. The man makes billions, hand over fist, he doesn't care about your needs.... You let his bald head through the door, now you will never get another chance to push him out. Good going, when he finds a way to do your job, without you, maybe then you'll get it through your head why you all needed to stick together..

[DrNarcisse]

Union just wants a cut of any business. They DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOU THE WORKER. I am a former union worker that has done much better without them.

[EddieMoney]

As someone who worked in supermarkets under union membership, I have to say union exists mostly to protect lazy or unfit people who can't work. Union takes a huge cut of your already diminutive wage, and instead of negotiating with your employer for higher pay, they negotiate for more hours.

[harrychu]

The workers have spoken and they are not interested in unionization.

[ZorroinArkham]

The numbers dont add up. Votes stated dont match the totals.

[Chrisuperfly]

Because the world isn't "One Size Fits All", and Unions outlived their usefulness 60 years ago.

[Tregphx]

Stockholm syndrome is honestly the best way to describe Amazons relationship with their employees.

[tmilesffl]

The union will be glad to take your money, but the union is also good at protecting bad employees and holding back the good workers.

[mac]

I wish I had your email Tucker. I just got a pretty screenshot of Amazon's advertisement while I was shopping for a book. They are sneaking in 100% sexist and 100% hate books. I don't have a problem with those books or someone selling them I do have a problem with them promoting them. They are promoting sexism and hate. I'm so offended. I'm done with them.

[MobileDecay]

They would be fired if they voted yes.

[robertnicholls]

And, now you guys are very quiet about the new wins.

[victormoyo]

Just wooow people would rather be slaves huh

[b]

As a non Amazon worker what I did is I took the time to find Amazon customer service phone number and called and requested my account to be deleted. I would never use their services again.

[jostencline]

wow, even the workers are too ignorant to know to be on their own side. bye bye working class, hello corporate overlords.

[SamSitar]

They should form a union anyway. 49% is close enough.

[SamSitar]

Let the union form anyway. 49% is close enough.