"Amazon workers in Coventry lose union recognition ballot by handful of votes", 17th July 2024

The TUC has insisted the battle for union recognition at Amazon will go on, after workers at the US retailer’s Coventry warehouse rejected the right to collective bargaining by a majority of just 29 votes.

In a historic ballot that could have forced Amazon to recognise a union for the first time in the UK, 50.5% of the workers who voted chose to refuse the proposal for the GMB union to represent them. If 15 had switched sides it would have gone the other way.

“Amazon has thrown everything at trying to stop workers from having an independent voice at work,” the TUC general secretary, Paul Nowak, said. “This is not the end. Our movement will regroup and will continue to shine a light on bad employers.”

Union officials said Amazon had “created a culture of fear”, and used intimidatory tactics, to stifle support among the 3,000-strong workforce at the West Midlands hub after a battle for recognition lasting more than year.

GMB activists were allowed into the warehouse to make their case at strictly timed meetings in the run-up to the ballot, while managers used a string of separate briefings to argue against recognition.

[...]

Amazon said: “We want to thank everyone who voted in this ballot. Across Amazon, we place enormous value on engaging directly with our employees and having daily conversations with them. It’s an essential part of our work culture. We value that direct relationship and so do our employees.

“This is why we’ve always worked hard to listen to them, act on their feedback, and invest heavily in great pay, benefits and skills development – all in a safe and inclusive workplace with excellent career opportunities.”