Challenged ballots leave outcome in doubt of Amazon union vote in Alabama

The final results of the hotly contested union elections at the Amazon Bessemer facility in Alabama, it is not yet clear, as hundreds of contested ballots go to the National Board of Investigation.

The initial count showed that a majority voted against unionization, with about 52% of the ballots returned in favor of joining the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union and 48% voting against. Only 39% of the facilities of 6,000 workers returned the ballots.

But the number of contested ballots, 416, is enough to change the outcome and will have to be investigated by the NLRB before a final bill can be reached. RWDSU President Stuart Applebaum said both the union and Amazon had challenged the ballots.

Despite the low turnout, Applebaum tried to push a hopeful note on Thursday after the final countdown.

“Workers here are also sending a clear message: Jeff Bezos has been back on the ground for some time now and is beginning to face the real problems that his employees face every day at their facilities across the country. “Applebaum said.

He pointed to a recent wave of organization at Starbucks, REI and other outlets as proof of the effects of the campaign.

Appelbaum blamed low turnout on the high turnover of Amazon stores and the company’s aggressive anti-union tactics, including convening mandatory meetings of workers to persuade them to vote “no.”

This is the second time the store has voted to join RWDSU. During the first ballot, held in April last year, Amazon easily defeated the attempt of the workers to join the RWDSU, which less than 30% of the workers supported. RWDSU accused Amazon of illegal misconduct and claimed that the company intimidated workers into voting against the union effort.

After months of investigation, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) called for new elections. Workers at the Bessemer facility were to mail their ballots from February 4 to March 25. The NLRB began processing the ballots on Monday, giving the union and Amazon a chance to challenge specific ballots.

The NLRB is also reviewing ballots for a union election at a warehouse in Staten Island, New York. RWDSU expects a more favorable outcome there, especially because New York is not a working state, like Alabama.

Voting on Staten Island will resume on Friday.

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