Employees at an Amazon facility in North Carolina decide against forming a union.
In the informal, straight-talking style, we delve into the recent union vote at the Garner, North Carolina, Amazon warehouse. The results, announced by the Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment (CAUSE), revealed a narrow defeat for the union with 2,447 votes against and 829 in favor. The union managed to secure a mere 25.3% of the vote, falling short of the NLRB's requirement of at least 30%.
You may recall that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) sets a threshold of 30% worker signatures to initiate a union election at a facility, as per their regulations[1]. Despite reaching this threshold for a vote, the NLRB has yet to certify the results.
CAUSE accused Amazon of compromising the vote-counting process, denouncing the result as a testament to Amazon's willingness to break the law and its wealth to sabotage the union movement[2]. Amazon, however, rejoiced in their team's decision, expressing desire to continue fostering a positive work environment at the warehouse[3].
Furthermore, it's worth mentioning that Amazon tasted defeat for the first time in a union vote last year at a Staten Island, New York, warehouse. The workers in that facility voted to join the Amazon Labor Union[5]. Nevertheless, Amazon has successfully thwarted unionizing efforts at their facilities in Bessemer, Alabama, and another Staten Island location, plus one near Albany, New York.
As of this moment, the narrative unfolds, and we wait with bated breath to see if the NLRB will validate the union vote or recognize Amazon's victory in this labor conflict[4].
[1] Enrichment Data: To initiate a union election at the Amazon Garner warehouse, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) requires that 30 percent of the workers at the facility sign union authorization cards. This is the threshold needed to trigger a union election as per NLRB regulations.
[2] Enrichment Data: The article from February 15, 2025, indicates that Amazon workers at the Garner warehouse rejected the union, handing Amazon a win in the labor fight.
[3] Enrichment Data: Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards said, "We're glad that our team in Garner was able to have their voices heard, and that they chose to keep a direct relationship with Amazon."
[4] Enrichment Data: The NLRB's certification process has not been completed, and any final determination would be made by the NLRB after reviewing the election results and any potential allegations of unfair labor practices.
[5] Enrichment Data: In 2022, workers at a Staten Island, New York, warehouse voted to join the Amazon Labor Union, the company’s first union.
The grassroots union, Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment (CAUSE), expressed their concern that Amazon may have interfered with the vote-counting process, thereby compromising the integrity of the 2022 union vote. Despite garnering a significant number of votes, the business fell short of the NLRB's requirement, resulting in a defeat for the union. Despite previous victories in other locations, Amazonians in Garner, North Carolina, did not manage to secure union status in 2022.
