Recently, headlines were made when the first-ever union of Amazon employees was approved for a group of warehouse workers in Staten Island, but now, Amazon has filed to appeal that very approval. Here’s everything you need to know about the situation, and why it matters.
On Friday, April 8, Amazon filed a long list of objections to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Among other complaints, the retail giant alleged that the newly formed union, the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), had been harassing employees who did not join them, trespassing on Amazon property and even incentivizing joining the union by claiming Amazon would not be giving employee benefits to those who didn’t join.
However, Amazon’s largest argument is against the NLRB itself, claiming the board gave the ALU preferential treatment and took action against Amazon before any legal decision had been reached.
John Logan, chair of the labor and employment studies department at San Francisco State University, spoke about the situation to The Washington Post, a publication owned by Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos. “Amazon probably figures it has nothing to lose by exhausting every possible appeals process because time is on its side,” says Logan.
Logan’s words may have merit, but the NLRB still allowed Amazon an extension until April 22 to collect evidence that will back its accusations.
While Amazon is claiming there was a low turnout for the vote that decided on the unionization of the warehouse employees, the ALU celebrates their win — a victory that was decided by a hefty difference of 500 votes in favor of the union.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23380463/040822_56_chris_1.jpg)
Christian Smalls, the ALU’s 33-year-old president, had actually been fired in March 2020 after organizing a walkout against the company’s lackluster COVID-19 protocols.
“I believe the change is now,” Smalls said in a podcast episode with The Wall Street Journal. “We’re not going to be used and abused and exploited anymore.”
ALU Vice President of Membership, Connor Spence, blamed a lack of humanity on Amazon’s end in an interview with Spectrum News NY1.
“A lot of people here don’t have time for anything outside of work, they don’t have lives,” says Spence. “The pay, Amazon says it’s competitive, but it’s really not. Most people here work full time for the richest company on Earth, more than full time, and they still need a second job.”
whoah this weblog is wonderful i love studying your articles. Keep up the great paintings! You already know, lots of persons are looking around for this information, you could aid them greatly.
I’m not sure exactly why but this weblog is loading extremely slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
You have noted very interesting points! ps nice web site.
I believe this web site has got some very superb information for everyone :D. “This is an age in which one cannot find common sense without a search warrant.” by George Will.
This design is incredible! You definitely know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
I’ve been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thanks, I will try and check back more often. How frequently you update your site?
There are some interesting points in time in this article but I don’t know if I see all of them center to heart. There’s some validity however I’ll take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we wish more! Added to FeedBurner as properly
There is visibly a bunch to realize about this. I think you made certain nice points in features also.
I truly value your work, Great post.
Hi there, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam comments? If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any assistance is very much appreciated.