Amazon to get hearing that could overturn NY union vote, labor board official says
By Jeffrey Dastin
(Reuters) – Amazon.com Inc’s objections to a landmark union election at an organization warehouse in New York Metropolis justify a listening to that would overturn the consequence, a U.S. Nationwide Labor Relations Board (NLRB) official stated.
The web retailer has accused the NLRB’s Brooklyn workplace of showing to assist the union drive and alleged that labor organizers intimidated staff to vote of their favor.
Citing the Brooklyn workplace’s conduct, Amazon final month secured the case’s switch to the NLRB’s Phoenix-based area. That workplace’s director, Cornele Overstreet, stated the proof behind Amazon’s claims “could possibly be grounds for overturning the election,” based on a submitting on Friday.
Some 55% of workers who voted from Amazon’s JFK8 warehouse within the borough of Staten Island opted to affix the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), which has argued for larger pay and job safety. Turnout was about 58%.
The election marked the primary time U.S. workers at Amazon had determined to unionize within the firm’s almost 28-year historical past, a victory for organized labor that for years sought extra employee protections on the nation’s second-largest personal employer.
Overstreet didn’t specify which of Amazon’s 25 objections had the potential to invalidate the election’s final result. He stated the events can current testimony beginning Might 23, after which an NLRB listening to officer will suggest whether or not to uphold the consequence. The method may take weeks.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated, “We would like our workers to have their voices heard, and on this case, that did not occur – fewer than a 3rd of the workers on the website voted for the union.”
Representatives for the ALU and NLRB didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark. The ALU has stated Amazon’s objections don’t have any benefit, serve to stall the union’s certification and that it was false that it ever coerced staff.
The NLRB has stated its enforcement actions towards Amazon have been per its congressional mandate.
(Reporting by Jeffrey Dastin in Palo Alto, Calif.; Modifying by Lisa Shumaker)
