To join or not join a union? This question has overwhelmed the minds of Amazon warehouse employees in Bessemer, Alabama. They voted once already, but the company was accused of unfair intrusive acts intended to sway the outcome. With pressure from the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and President Joe Biden – as well as a court order – the Alabama warehouse employees must now cast another vote. Did Amazon misbehave, or are the courts and the Biden administration sticking their noses where they don’t belong?
What Went Wrong With the First Round of Votes?
(Photo by Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The workers overwhelmingly chose not to unionize the first time around, with two “noes” for every “yes.” However, the NLRB felt voters were pressured by Amazon to vote against the measure. For example, a warehouse employee testified in court that managers warned workers the fulfillment center would likely shut down if the vote to unionize were successful. Other accusations include informing employees that the higher-ups would frivolously spend the dues paid to the union. What better way to get the desired results than intimidation?
The most significant blow to Amazon’s case was the allegation that the company monitored the mailbox put in for voters to deposit their ballots. The United States Postal Service installed the box in a private parking lot, hoping that employees would feel reassured that they could vote safely and in confidence. Unfortunately, the mailbox placement under a large Amazon tent prompted the employees to feel as if they were being recorded. The world’s second-largest private retailer interfered enough that the courts opted to trash the votes.
Just Keep Voting, Just Keep Voting
Some may argue those in favor of labor unions could continue demanding new votes until they get the desired results. In the animated movie Finding Nemo, Dory, a Royal Blue Tang, has a habit of saying “just keep swimming, just keep swimming.” Is this the method being used by NLRB? Just keep voting, just keep voting until we attain the desired results.
Still, even those who are anti-union would likely find it hard to defend Amazon’s actions. Regardless of how anyone feels about union work, the company obviously should not have attempted to browbeat its employees into voting against unionization. Let the votes show what the majority prefers.
Biden Chimed In
President Biden has been abundantly clear that he is in support of labor unions. In a video posted to Twitter regarding the situation in Alabama, Biden stated, “Today and over the next few days and weeks, workers in Alabama and all across America are voting on whether to organize a union in their workplace. This is vitally important — a vitally important choice, as America grapples with the deadly pandemic, the economic crisis and the reckoning on race — what it reveals is the deep disparities that still exist in our country.”
Pros and Cons of Labor Unions
Perhaps the most frustrating thing about Amazon’s actions is that management did not have faith in the employees to make an educated decision on their own. A simple Google search can outline the ups and downs of union work. The positives are that unions typically provide higher pay, better befits, and a layer of protection between the employee and the employer. While this may be enough for some to climb aboard the union train, others are more skeptical. The obvious downsides include paying dues and fees, discouraging individuality, and the fact that promotion tends to be based strictly on seniority rather than actual individual merit. With this rather easy-to-locate information, Amazon should have simply let its employees do their research and make up their own minds.
Amazon is learning the hard way not to force its employees to vote the way company leaders see fit. Maybe they will behave better on the second go-round. Union or no union, workers need to feel confident that the company respects their needs and will treat them fairly. The same could go for the courts; let the votes speak for themselves, even if the outcome is undesirable.
~ Read more from Kirsten Brooker.
