On February 15, Amazon workers in North Carolina voted against joining a union, marking a significant victory for the retail giant, which has staunchly opposed organized labor at its facilities throughout the United States.
Approximately three-quarters of the voters opposed unionization, dealing a blow to union officials who had sought to organize Amazon due to its broad industry influence, encompassing warehousing, trucking, manufacturing, and data processing. A simple majority of the 4,300 workers at the warehouse in Garner, North Carolina, near Raleigh, was required to establish the union.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) disclosed the results of the vote on Saturday, with 2,447 voters opposing unionization, while 829 were in favor.
Amazon emphasized the benefits of a direct relationship with the company rather than through organized labor, stating it was "glad" that workers made that choice. In contrast, union organizers contended that better working conditions and wages could only be achieved through collective bargaining.
This was the second recent union vote faced by Amazon, following a similar vote at a Philadelphia Whole Foods location, which Amazon has asked the NLRB to invalidate alleging coercion and intimidation by union officials. The decline in U.S. union membership has been ongoing, with North Carolina registering a mere 2.4% union membership, the lowest in the country.
CAUSE, a group aiming to unionize Amazon workers, sought changes like $30 per hour wages and extended lunch breaks. CAUSE members expressed disappointment about Amazon allegedly influencing the vote count and the departure of a livestreaming official.
Amazon's resistance to unions is highlighted in its 2024 annual report, citing that organized labor could impede operational flexibility and potentially damage its business and reputation. The company has faced challenges with the NLRB over past unionization efforts and is currently contesting the agency's authority in a federal lawsuit.
Overall, the text discusses the recent union vote among Amazon workers in North Carolina, painting a picture of the ongoing struggle between the retail giant and organized labor.