An Amazon warehouse on New York’s Staten Island became the first in the country to vote in favor of unionizing, a major blow for the retail and e-commerce giant.
The facility, known as JFK8, employs roughly 6,000 workers. Results announced Friday showed that they voted 2,654 to 2,131, with some votes still outstanding, to organize. The win must now be formalized by the National Labor Relations Board, which will certify the results.
The Amazon Labor Union, which is behind the drive, began the organization effort about a year ago. While Amazon has a companywide $15 minimum wage (compared to New York City’s $11 minimum wage), workers on Staten Island had hoped to unionize to address not just pay but other matters as well.
“It’s official ‼️ Amazon Labor Union is the first Amazon union in US HISTORY ‼️ POWER TO THE PEOPLE! #UnionStrong #ALUfortheWin,” the union said Friday on Twitter.
It’s official‼️Amazon Labor Union is the first Amazon union in US HISTORY‼️POWER TO THE PEOPLE! #UnionStrong #ALUfortheWin
— Amazon Labor Union (@amazonlabor) April 1, 2022
While the Staten Island facility’s union drive was successful, a separate effort in Bessemer, Alabama, appears to have fallen short once again.
MIXED SUPPORT FOR UNIONIZING AMONG AMAZON WORKERS, EARLY RESULTS SHOW
Last year, the Bessemer facility garnered national attention for its push, although it ultimately failed. The NLRB called for a redo election last year after it found that the company unduly interfered in the first election.
There were 993 votes opposing unionization in Bessemer and 875 in favor, as of a final tally on Thursday. Despite the nonunionization lead, more than 400 ballots are still in flux after being challenged by the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union and Amazon itself.
The Bessemer drive was a contentious one, with Amazon pushing back against the effort and drawing attention from political figures and prominent labor activists.
Last year, Sen. Bernie Sanders invited one of the Bessemer warehouse’s employees to testify before the Senate Banking Committee during a hearing on income inequality. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, who is worth $182 billion, declined the Vermont socialist’s invitation, drawing ire from some, including Sanders.
Amazon has long feared that if one facility decides to unionize, it could produce a ripple effect and more warehouses might try to push for unionization. It contends unions aren’t necessary because of the company’s $15 minimum wage and comprehensive healthcare benefits.
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“We’re disappointed with the outcome of the election in Staten Island because we believe having a direct relationship with the company is best for our employees,” Amazon said in a statement. “We’re evaluating our options, including filing objections based on the inappropriate and undue influence by the NLRB that we and others (including the National Retail Federation and U.S. Chamber of Commerce) witnessed in this election.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Amazon Labor Union for comment about the apparent victory.
