Amazon Workers in Alabama to Vote on Unionizing for a Third Time Amid Ongoing Legal Battle
Amazon workers at the Bessemer, Alabama, warehouse may soon get another chance to vote on unionizing following a federal labor judge’s ruling for a third election. This decision marks another chapter in the prolonged legal struggle between Amazon and the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU) over previous election conditions and alleged misconduct.
The First Vote and Allegations of Misconduct
The Bessemer warehouse, pivotal in Amazon’s labor history, hosted the company’s first union election in the U.S. in 2021. Workers initially voted against unionizing; however, U.S. labor officials later claimed that Amazon improperly influenced the election, potentially discouraging workers from supporting the union.
A Second, Contentious Election
In early 2022, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) mandated a second election, which led to a narrow and inconclusive result. Amazon and the RWDSU contested hundreds of ballots, each alleging labor law violations. Months of testimonies followed in Birmingham, with witnesses painting Amazon’s approach as an aggressive anti-union campaign, including the setup of a ballot dropbox in a surveilled parking lot, which the union argued created an intimidating environment.
Judge Orders Third Election Amid Continuing Disputes
Presiding over the hearings, Judge Michael Silverstein has now called for a third election. He cited Amazon’s actions as illegal, such as confiscating union materials from break rooms, though he dismissed several other union allegations. Amazon announced plans to appeal, with spokesperson Mary Kate Paradis stating, “This decision is wrong on the facts and the law,” and accusing the RWDSU and labor board of disregarding the original vote against unionization.
RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, arguing that Amazon may continue its alleged anti-union practices without additional safeguards. “There is no reason to expect a different result in a third election – unless there are additional remedies,” Appelbaum asserted, emphasizing the need for corrective actions to ensure fairness.
Unionization Fight Extends Beyond Alabama
Amazon’s legal resistance to unionization extends beyond Alabama. The company is also challenging the historic 2022 union win at its Staten Island, New York, facility, where the independent Amazon Labor Union (ALU) became the first recognized union at an Amazon warehouse in the country. Despite the victory, Amazon has so far refused to negotiate with the approximately 5,500 unionized workers there.
To strengthen its resources amid prolonged opposition from Amazon, the ALU recently affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, an established union with financial stability and wider support.
What’s Next for Bessemer Workers?
With both Amazon and the RWDSU challenging portions of the latest order, it could be a while before a new election date is scheduled in Bessemer. This protracted legal battle highlights Amazon workers’ obstacles in organizing efforts and Amazon’s resistance to unionization across its U.S. operations.
As the process drags on, the decisions stemming from these elections may significantly impact Amazon’s labor practices and potentially influence future organizing efforts within the company’s large workforce. The outcome could also have broader implications for labor relations within the U.S.