Jeffrey Dastin, Danielle Kaye

(Reuters] – U.S. regulators have begun to count thousands of votes by employees in contests to determine if unions can be formed at Amazon.com Inc.

It would mark a historical first for Amazon, the internet retailer, whose employees have long been opposed to any attempt at organizing them.

Amazon is the U.S.’s second largest private employer and has been an important focus of labor activists who believe that one union win will ignite organizing efforts throughout the country.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will oversee the vote count beginning Thursday. However, it may not lead to a final decision. If there is a close vote, invalid votes could be addressed by the NLRB after the counting. Parties can also object to the conduct of the vote, which could result in the outcome being reversed as was the case last year in Alabama.

For victory, a simple majority must be obtained.

Over six days, workers at JFK8 in New York City’s Staten Island cast their votes in person. The voting began March 25, and ended on March 25. Voting is taking place on the formation of a new union: The Amazon Labor Union.

The rerun last year’s unsuccessful union organizing campaign in Amazon’s Bessemer, Alabama warehouse ended on March 25. The workers voted in person. The workers are currently voting on whether or not they want to be a member of the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union.

The NLRB found Amazon to have improperly interfered with the original contest. Amazon was awarded the contract by a 2-1 margin.