In 2020, employees at Amazon’s Bessemer, Alabama warehouse embarked on one of the largest unionisation efforts in the company’s history. By December, more than 2000 workers had signed cards indicating their support for union representation by the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union, which was deemed by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to meet the bar of ‘sufficient interest’ required for an election.

In January 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NLRB announced the election could take place through mail-in ballots. Amazon appealed this decision, arguing that a mail-in ballot election would be too time and resource intensive. However, the NLRB rejected the appeal, ruling that the mail-in ballot election could commence on 8 February. Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union said: “Today’s decision proves that it’s long past time that Amazon start respecting its own employees; and allow them to cast their votes without intimidation and interference.”

If workers vote in favour of unionisation, the Bessemer warehouse will be the first unionised Amazon warehouse in the USA. Amazon has reportedly had a fraught relationship with unions. During the current Bessemer unionisation drive, it has been accused of employing anti-union tactics, such as launching a website which attempts to dissuade workers from unionising by emphasising union dues. The company has responded to similar allegations in the past. Heather Knox, an Amazon spokeswoman, said the company did not believe that the union “represents the majority of our employees’ views.” More company comments can be found in the articles linked below.

On 9 April 2021, it was announced that workers voted against forming a union: 738 workers voted in favour of unionisation, with 1789 voting against. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which led the drive, accused Amazon of employing ‘anti-union tactics’ during the unionisation drive and election. The union has said it will challenge the results and ask the NLRB to investigate Amazon for creating an ‘atmosphere of confusion, coercion and/or fear of reprisals.”

On 29 November 2021, the NLRB ordered a revote after the agency found Amazon improperly pressured warehouse staff to vote against unionizing.