Amazon workers in Garner, North Carolina, have decisively voted against forming a union, marking a significant moment in ongoing labor discussions.
The vote at the Amazon warehouse near Raleigh, known as RDU1, resulted in 2,447 against unionization and 829 in support, out of 3,276 ballots cast. This outcome was reported by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), with 77 challenged ballots being too few to affect the overall result. The NLRB is yet to certify these results.
The attempt to unionize was led by the group Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment (CAUSE), formed by RDU1 employees in response to what they perceived as an inadequate reaction by Amazon to the COVID-19 pandemic. CAUSE aimed to negotiate better wages and longer breaks for the employees.
Despite failing to win the vote, CAUSE accused Amazon of engaging in “relentless and illegal efforts to intimidate” workers, suggesting that the company fears employee unity. In contrast, Amazon has denied these accusations, claiming compliance with the law and expressing satisfaction with maintaining direct relations with its employees.
Eileen Hards, a spokesperson for Amazon, stated that she was pleased the workers at the Garner facility chose to keep a direct relationship with the company. “We look forward to continuing to work together and help our colleagues build their futures with us,” she commented.
Amazon, the second-largest private employer in the United States, has historically resisted unionization efforts among its workforce. The company managed to deter union formation until 2022, when workers at a Staten Island warehouse successfully voted to join the Amazon Labor Union. Another recent unionization success included workers at a Whole Foods store opting to join the United Food and Commercial Workers union.
In response to the Garner unionization effort, Amazon intensified its anti-union messaging within the facility, via a dedicated website, and through its AtoZ app. Management urged employees to vote against forming a union, dismissing CAUSE as an “outside party.” The company stated that while employees have the freedom to decide on union membership, it wants them to be “informed.”
The facility in question spans four floors and covers two million square feet, employing approximately 4,700 workers. When the election was announced, CAUSE had been advocating for starting wages of $30 per hour, an increase from the current $18.50, citing ongoing struggles with food and housing insecurity faced by many workers.
Labor organizations have adjusted their strategies, moving beyond traditional NLRB elections, to pursue other avenues of influencing Amazon’s labor practices. This includes filing unfair labor practice charges and coordinating protests at multiple facilities, with varying degrees of success.
Notably, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has been vocal about representing Amazon workers, although Amazon has yet to acknowledge the union’s legitimacy or engage in negotiations.
Overall, the trend shows growing public support for unions, with surveys indicating a 67% approval rate among Americans. However, this support has not led to an increase in union membership, which in the private sector, remains low at 5.9% according to recent statistics.
North Carolina has one of the lowest union membership rates in the nation, a fact that highlights the challenges faced by labor advocates in such regions.
The recent vote by Amazon workers in Garner, North Carolina, highlights the enduring complexities of labor organization within large corporations. As union efforts face both challenges and resistance, the conversation around worker rights and corporate policies continues to evolve.
