An upstart New York labor organization won a 2,654-2,131 victory at a Staten Island Amazon facility, while an established union was rejected 993-875 in Bessemer, Alabama. Following the recent vote tallies, the losing party in both states plans to appeal workers’ decisions.
While a protracted fight is anticipated at both Amazon locations, the more colorful one stems from one of the mega-corporation’s reasons to overturn the vote. It seems company officials are claiming members of the Amazon Labor Union got voters high on marijuana to secure their support. Amazon officials filed an objection regarding organizers’ distribution of cannabis to workers, saying the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) “cannot condone such a practice as a legitimate method of obtaining support for a labor organization.”
By that same token, Amazon has largely been at odds with the NLRB insisting the federal agency has consistently demonstrated bias in support of the union. Based on only 58 percent of eligible employees casting a ballot, Amazon highlighted ways anti-union workers were made uncomfortable in an effort to deter participation.
“Based on the evidence we’ve seen so far, as set out in our objections, we believe that the actions of the NLRB and the ALU improperly suppressed and influenced the vote, and we think the election should be conducted again so that a fair and broadly representative vote can be had,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel reportedly stated.
Chris Smalls began the unionization efforts after the e-commerce giant fired him. He used covert tactics to organize employees, and some of their actions may give Amazon grounds for a reversal. Reports indicate Smalls and an accomplice inside the warehouse doled out food and other items to employees. Whether they distributed cannabis remains to be confirmed.
In Alabama, it’s the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) crying foul after taking a loss. Amazon reportedly pays workers upwards of double the state’s minimum wage and higher full-time salaries than the state’s urban areas. Employees at the Bessemer facility earn at least $15.80 an hour, while people in cities average $14.55 per hour.
According to U.S. Census Bureau information, Bessemer’s annual median household income stands at $30,284, which could include more than one earner. One person working at the Amazon facility full-time would exceed that average without logging overtime. The RWDSU reportedly lodged more than 20 objections to set aside the election results.
“We are filing objections on Amazon’s behavior during this election, which include countless attempts to intimidate workers, even going so far as to terminate and suspend workers who supported the union,” RWDSU president Stuart Appelbaum reportedly stated.
“Amazon’s behavior must not go unchallenged, and workers in Bessemer, Alabama, must have their rights protected under the law.”
Both sides appear unwilling to accept the results as controversies swirl. Truckers who rely on warehouse personnel to fulfill orders and handle loading and unloading may want to keep a watchful eye on the outcomes. Strikes and other work stoppages could impact potential earnings.
Sources: nypost.com, cnbc.com
At one time workers needed the protections of unions, now that has changed.
I learned, back in the mid to late 60’s, how corrupt unions were. They have gotten much worse since then.
Now workers need much more protection from unions than they do from most companies.
Neither really care about the workers, rather the bottom line and $$$$ are all that matters.
Unions have an adverse effect on the productivity levels by not providing the incentive for advancement by basically demanding that all workers get the same pay/benefits. Results are that most workers only produce enough to keep their jobs.