In a recent development in the ongoing labor struggles at Amazon, employees at a North Carolina warehouse have decisively voted against forming a union. The National Labor Relations Board announced the results on Saturday, marking another obstacle for union efforts at the e-commerce juggernaut.
At the heart of this vote was the RDU1 fulfillment center located in Garner, near Raleigh. Workers there cast 2,447 votes against and 829 in favor of joining Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment (CAUSE), a grassroots union initiated by warehouse workers just last year.
These organizers were advocating for starting salaries of $30 per hour, a notable increase from the current range of $18 to $24, as stated by Amazon. Alongside, they were also pressing for more generous lunch breaks and vacation periods.
In their response to the vote, CAUSE leaders criticized Amazon for what they claimed were “relentless and illegal efforts to intimidate us.” Although they did not specify whether they planned to contest the vote results, they pledged to continue their organizing drive.
Eileen Hards, speaking on behalf of Amazon, expressed satisfaction with the vote, noting that it allowed the warehouse team in Garner to express their preference for maintaining a direct connection with the company.
Leading up to this decision, CAUSE had lodged complaints with the labor relations authorities, accusing Amazon of meddling in legally protected union activities. Allegations included claims of preferential treatment for non-union-supporting employees and the contentious termination of a union co-founder shortly before the union election filing in December.
Amazon has consistently denied any interference, maintaining that they respect employees’ choices on union membership, and have spoken openly and candidly about the topic. According to Ms. Hards, the union co-founder was dismissed due to repeated misconduct, including making offensive remarks to colleagues.
Furthermore, Ms. Hards highlighted Amazon’s already existing competitive pay, industry-leading benefits, and reliable work schedules, questioning CAUSE’s capability since, as she put it, they “have no experience representing workers or their interests.”
The organizers also faced a broader issue of the South’s traditional skepticism toward unions. As of last year, North Carolina’s unionization rate stood at just 2.4%, the lowest nationwide, significantly trailing the U.S. average of 9.9%.
Amazon’s track record on unionization is marked by staunch opposition across its facilities, from warehouses to delivery and grocery operations. In a notable instance, workers at a Staten Island warehouse voted to establish Amazon’s inaugural union in the United States, affiliating with the Teamsters. However, Amazon has since contested the results in court, refusing both recognition and negotiation with the union.
The political climate further complicates labor dynamics, as changes during the Trump administration at the labor relations board may have emboldened companies to resist organizing efforts, according to experts.
Despite these challenges, there have been breakthroughs, such as workers at a Philadelphia Whole Foods voting to join the United Food and Commercial Workers union, marking a significant step within the Amazon-owned chain. Concurrently, citing structural adjustments, Amazon announced the closure of its operations in Quebec, which would affect 1,700 employees amidst union gains.
This North Carolina vote isn’t an isolated incident. A failed bid in Bessemer, Alabama, in 2021 saw labor authorities later declare Amazon’s undue influence, resulting in ongoing election cycles. A third vote is anticipated as the saga unfolds, with Amazon denying any accusations of misconduct.
Reflecting on the broader mission, Italo Medelius-Marsano, a prominent CAUSE organizer from the RDU1 ship dock, voiced his sentiments before the vote. He highlighted the fundamental fight for dignity, emphasizing the movement’s poignant motto: “I am not a robot.”
