Amazon union election in Alabama to begin in February
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A billboard sponsored by Amazon urging workers to return unionization ballots can be seen in Bessemer (Alabama) on March 28, 2021.
Elijah Nouvelage | Getty Images
AmazonA federal labor agency announced Tuesday that the warehouse in Bessemer in Alabama will host a high-stakes union election in February.
The National Labor Relations Board in NovemberAfter finding that Amazon had improperly interfered with the first union election at Bessemer, the facility ordered another vote. which was held in April. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Unions (RWDSU), which sought to organize warehouse workers, lost that election. However, Bessemer workers voted against unionization by more than 2-to-1.
Amazon employees at Bessemer, also known as BHM1, can again vote by mail. According to the agency the NLRB, workers will receive their ballots by mail starting February 4. The votes will then be counted March 28.
An official from the NLRB stated that Amazon had violated labor laws by granting a “Do-Over” and pointed to Amazon’s violations. decision to install a mailboxRWDSU stated that this facility created an appearance that Amazon was conducting elections and intimidated workers into voting for the union.
According to the official, Amazon also improperly polled employees’ support for unions during mandatory meetings. which were held for several weeksAt BHM1, up until the time that employees received ballots.
Labor groups, legislators and any other Amazon workers interested in organizing their workplaces will closely monitor the second unionization drive. Unions like the International Brotherhood of Teamsters are major. also have their sights setAmazon.
Amazon could lose control over the amount of its workers if it allowed warehouses to vote for union membership.
Amazon Warehouse workers in New York Staten Island are also available. have filed for a union electionWhile workers in Chicago form a group called “Organize Chicago” to manage employees in Chicago’s facilities, Amazonians United Chicagoland.
For many years, major unions including the Teamsters, the United Food & Commercial Workers Union and the RWDSU have quietly been talking to Amazon workers about organizing, but have faced steep challenges in the U.S. compared to Europe, where unions are common among Amazon’s workforce.
Amazon had previously stated that it was against the NLRB’s decision to require a second election at Bessemer. According to Amazon, unionizing its workers isn’t the right approach.
Amazon increased its efforts at Bessemer’s warehouse by hosting so-called captive audience meeting and posting anti union documents in bathrooms. Reuters reported.
RWDSU released a statement expressing concern at Tuesday’s election terms set forth by the NLRB.
The union stated that it had proposed to the NLRB a variety of solutions to make the process more fair for workers. However, these remedies were not included in today’s Notice of Election.
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