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NLRB Finds “Sufficient Showing of Interest” to Allow For Union Election at Amazon Warehouse


Last week, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) confirmed that there was a “sufficient showing of interest” among workers at a Staten Island Amazon warehouse to meet the minimum threshold to hold a union election.

In order for an election to be held, a “sufficient showing of interest” must be established among eligible workers.  Under this standard, at least 30% of edible workers that could vote in an election must provide their signature to the union, in this case the Amazon Labor Union.  While a prior attempt to unionize this warehouse fell short last year after the requisite 30% of eligible workers did not provide their signature, this “second bite at the apple” cleared that 30% hurdle.

Now of course just because a union election will occur does not mean this Amazon warehouse is going to vote to unionize.  Collecting signatures from 30% of eligible workers and obtaining a majority of votes in the actual election are two different situations.  With that being said, this is a spark of good news for those looking at the successful unionization efforts at Starbucks and trying to replicate that success at Amazon.


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