Opinion - by 492 Teamsters President Trey White
Amazon Warehouse Election in Alabama
4/9/2021 - Over 2,000 people signed cards asking the NLRB for an election at the Alabama Amazon facility, but in the end, a majorty of those people either didn't vote or were intimidated into changing their minds.
Unfortunately, less than 50% of the 6,000 workers at the Alabama Amazon Warehouse voted in this election. 738 voted for going union, but 1798 workers voted against. The fact that 3,000 of these workers didn't even vote is disturbing but predictable since the corporations have all of the advantages right now when it comes to Union representation elections.
If workers are ever going to be able to rise up, labor laws must be changed so that companies cannot intimidate workers during elections and the elections are conducted much quicker. Then, ALL the workers must cast their ballots in order for there to be real change in the work place.
In a statement, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) President Stuart Appelbaum said Amazon “left no stone unturned in its efforts to gaslight its own employees. We won’t let Amazon’s lies, deception and illegal activities go unchallenged, which is why we are formally filing charges against all of the egregious and blatantly illegal actions taken by Amazon during the union vote,” Appelbaum said. “We demand a comprehensive investigation over Amazon’s behavior in corrupting this election.”
TEAMSTERS STATEMENT ON THE ELECTION RESULTS FROM THE VOTE AT THE AMAZON FACILITY IN BESSEMER, ALABAMA
“The Teamsters commend the efforts of Amazon workers in Bessemer who came together to fight for respect and to provide a better life for themselves and their families,” said Randy Korgan, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters National Director for Amazon. “Despite going up against one of the world’s richest men in a country with weak labor laws, the workers in Bessemer brought national attention to issues that many non-union workers face in this industry. This fight is not over, and the Teamsters will always support workers who want to build power by standing together and demanding dignity, a safe workplace, and a fair return on their work.”
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