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As Amazon Alabama Union Vote Wraps Up, Eyes Turn to Other Amazon Unionization Efforts

 

Today, voting is to wrap up at the Bessemer, Alabama Amazon location where workers are attempting to unionize.  While the outcome of the union election will not be immediately know, attention has already turned to potential unionization at other Amazon locations.

Readers will recall that Amazon had previously opposed a mail in vote, instead requesting  the election be delayed until it was safe to hold in person.  After Amazon’s efforts to stop the mail in vote failed, the seven week mail in election got underway.  While many politicians have decided to wade into the fray and voice their support (or opposition) to the election, the relative absence of President Joe Biden has taken many by surprise.  Given his vocal support for unions during the previous election, many thought he would lend his voice to the unionization efforts at the Alabama location.  (After all, a unionization of this Amazon fulfillment center would be a big step toward cutting into the company’s successful efforts to beat back unionization in the U.S.).

With that being said, workers at a few other Amazon locations in Baltimore, New Orleans, and Southern California, have reportedly begun to explore a potential unionization.  Granted, rumblings and discussions about unionizing does not mean unionization efforts would be successful.  However, I would expect that should the Alabama location unionize (or even come close to unionizing), workers at other Amazon locations would become emboldened to try their hand at forming a union.  This is a matter worth keeping an eye on going forward.


For additional information:  https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-amazon-union-alabama-20210322-7mut7ccizjhaxgb4nzr57gav4y-story.html

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