Amazon Union Vote: Rerun Election 'Very Likely'

The Aftermath of the Amazon Union Vote

Regardless of the final tally from today’s vote, the dispute between Amazon and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) is far from resolved. The outcome, heavily favoring Amazon, immediately prompted a challenge from the union regarding the validity of the results.

RWDSU Challenges Election Integrity

Following the vote where the 'no' votes exceeded the 50% mark, the RWDSU swiftly issued a statement to TechCrunch through President Stuart Appelbaum. The statement called for a thorough investigation into Amazon’s conduct during the election process, alleging interference.

Amazon Claims Victory

Amazon responded predictably, celebrating the results. A blog post published under the name “Amazon Staff” declared the outcome a win for the company.

Despite Amazon’s assertion that the election is concluded, the RWDSU remains optimistic. They anticipate future organizing efforts at the Bessemer warehouse and believe this movement will bolster unionization attempts across Amazon’s facilities.

Allegations of Coercion

During a press conference, Appelbaum asserted that Amazon allegedly communicated to employees that their jobs were contingent upon voting against the union.

The union president expressed confidence in a potential rerun election, stating, “We believe a rerun election is going to be very likely.” He further suggested that even if Amazon views this as a victory, it is a questionable one, highlighting the exposure of challenging working conditions within Amazon.

Concerns Over Working Conditions

Appelbaum’s remarks allude to numerous reports detailing workers resorting to urinating in bottles due to demanding quotas. Initially, the company refuted these claims amidst an intensive social media campaign, seemingly influenced by CEO Jeff Bezos. They later conceded the possibility of the practice among some drivers, attributing it to broader industry issues.

In their post, Amazon maintained, “Amazon didn’t win—our employees made the choice to vote against joining a union.” The company emphasized its commitment to listening to employees, incorporating feedback, and investing in competitive pay and benefits within a secure and inclusive work environment. They acknowledged imperfections but expressed pride in their team and ongoing efforts for improvement.

Dispute Over Ballot Box

A central element of the RWDSU’s challenge involves a ballot box that the company reportedly pressured the USPS to install, despite a ruling from the National Labor Relations Board. Appelbaum argued that the box fostered a sense of surveillance.

He also revealed that the union had already initiated conversations with workers at other Amazon locations even before this election took place.

Amazon Responds to Ballot Box Concerns

Update: Amazon provided a statement regarding the ballot box, stating, “We said from the beginning that we wanted all employees to vote and proposed many different options to try and make it easy. The RWDSU fought those at every turn and pushed for a mail-only election, which the NLRB’s own data showed would reduce turnout. This mailbox—which only the USPS had access to—was a simple, secure, and completely optional way to make it easy for employees to vote, no more and no less.”