Amazon accused of anti-union tactics in New York
SAN FRANCISCO: US labour authorities have filed a complaint
accusing e-commerce giant Amazon of using threats and surveillance against its
workers trying to organise a union at a New York City warehouse.
Amazon allegedly grilled workers about union activities at
the Staten Island site, promising to address grievances in exchange for voting
against representation, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) argued in its
complaint filed on Thursday (Jan 27).
At stake is whether the workers might be the first to unionise an Amazon warehouse in the United States.
NLRB's complaint alleges the company "repeatedly broke
the law by threatening, surveilling, and interrogating their Staten Island
warehouse workers who are engaged in a union organizing campaign".
The board asked a judge, with a hearing set for Apr 5, to
order Amazon to educate workers as well as managers about employee rights when
it comes to unionising.
Amazon rejected the allegations, saying they "are false
and we look forward to showing that through this process."
Union literature was allegedly removed from a breakroom and
"confiscated" from some employees, according to the filing.
NLRB has found that enough employees at the Staten Island
warehouse have supported the union effort to justify a vote, with next steps to
be discussed at a Feb 16 hearing.
A campaign to form what could also be the first union at an
Amazon warehouse in the United States will continue next month with a rematch
ballot in Bessemer, Alabama.
A closely-watched vote last year in Bessemer ended in a
defeat for organisers, who accused Amazon of breaking the rules and were
granted a re-do on appeal.
The NLRB will mail out ballots on Feb 4, with counting of
the votes set for Mar 28.
The vote in the small town of Bessemer drew heavy media attention as it pitted supporters of the employees - artists, Democratic and Republican lawmakers and even President Joe Biden - against Amazon.
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