Feb 10 (Reuters) – Amazon (AMZN.O) is facing another crucial union vote as workers at a warehouse in suburban Raleigh, North Carolina, decide whether to organize and collectively bargain with the retail giant. This marks the second such vote in recent months and could have significant implications for the company’s labor policies and costs.
The workers at the five-year-old facility in Garner will vote through Friday on whether to join the Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment (CAUSE). The union is pushing for higher wages, longer breaks, and greater scheduling flexibility. A simple majority among voters is required for unionization.
This vote follows a successful union drive in January at a Whole Foods store in Philadelphia, marking the first time workers at the Amazon-owned grocery chain voted to unionize. If the North Carolina warehouse workers vote in favor, it could pave the way for further labor organizing efforts at Amazon’s nearly 1,000 warehouses across the U.S., potentially increasing its labor and logistics costs. Conversely, a failed vote could deter future organizing efforts.
Union Demands and Amazon’s Response
CAUSE secretary Italo Medelius-Marsano stated that the group is seeking wages of up to $30 per hour, longer lunch breaks, and better job protections. “We deserve better for the work we do day in and day out,” said Medelius-Marsano, who works at the warehouse’s shipping dock. “Amazon can afford to pay its workers better than they do.”
Amazon has historically opposed unionization efforts, arguing that employees can seek workplace improvements directly through the company. Despite a successful 2022 unionization vote at a Staten Island warehouse, Amazon has yet to recognize the union or enter negotiations. The company is also contesting alleged misconduct during two union elections at a warehouse in Alabama, leading the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to order a third vote.
According to economic news updates, Amazon’s opposition to unionization remains strong. An Amazon spokesperson, Eileen Hards, reiterated that the company believes employees prefer direct engagement with management. “We’ve always said that we want our employees to have their voices heard, and we hope and expect this process allows for that,” Hards said. “We believe our employees favor opportunities to have their unique voice heard by working directly with our team.” She added that starting pay at the North Carolina facility is $18.50 per hour, more than double the state’s minimum wage.
Challenges and Allegations
Meanwhile, Amazon has been legally challenging the NLRB’s authority. In September, the company filed a federal lawsuit questioning the agency’s constitutionality. Additionally, Whole Foods recently petitioned the NLRB to dismiss the results of the Philadelphia union election, arguing that the board lacked sufficient members to certify the vote. The company also accused the union of coercing workers into voting in favor of unionization.
Real-time news reports indicate that labor actions at Amazon are not isolated to North Carolina. In December, during the peak holiday shopping season, workers at multiple Amazon warehouses—from California to New York—staged walkouts organized by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Retaliation Claims and Union Resistance
Medelius-Marsano alleged that Amazon has actively discouraged unionization efforts at the Garner facility. Workers claim that Amazon has been playing anti-union messages on a loop in breakrooms and encouraging employees to attend voluntary meetings aimed at persuading them to vote against unionization.
Last week, several workers at the facility filed complaints with the NLRB, alleging that Amazon retaliated against them for their union activity by firing them or withholding benefits. In response, Hards denied any wrongdoing, stating, “Amazon does not retaliate against employees for exercising their rights.”
The outcome of this vote could have far-reaching consequences for Amazon’s labor practices and influence future organizing efforts within the company. As economic news updates continue to unfold, all eyes will be on North Carolina to see whether workers succeed in their push for a union or if Amazon’s resistance strategy prevails.
