New York-based Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) could be on its way to being handed a second defeat in its attempt to unionize Amazon’s Bessemer fulfillment center.
In early 2021, Amazon’s Bessemer workforce overwhelmingly rejected calls for unionization with more than 70% of employees voting against the measure.
Shortly thereafter, RWDSU appealed to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) claiming that the election had been tainted by alleging that Amazon had partaken in intimidation tactics during the voting process. NLRB found that Amazon had violated labor laws by arranging for a U.S. Postal Service mailbox to be placed on warehouse grounds for ballot collection.
The NLRB nullified the election results and ordered a new election to be held. Ballots were mailed to Amazon’s Bessemer employees early last month, with the vote concluding on March 25. The tallying process to determine the second election’s outcome began Thursday afternoon.
According to Reuters, 53% of workers who participated in the election voted against unionizing. Around 1,900 ballots have been counted, the outlet reports. There are more than 400 ballots currently being contested by either Amazon or the union.
Yellowhammer News will continue to monitor the election and provide updates accordingly.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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