Amazon has escalated its response to union organizing efforts among its workers in the United States, particularly in the wake of the historic unionization at its Staten Island facility. The company has been disciplining, and even terminating, employees actively involved in union campaigns, raising concerns about labor rights.
This more aggressive stance comes as union organizers are making strides at Amazon’s major air hub in Kentucky. Here, they claim to have secured union authorization cards from at least a quarter of the hourly workforce, signaling a growing pro-union sentiment. For a union election to be held, organizers typically need to demonstrate support from at least 30% of workers.
The heart of the issue lies in Amazon’s enforcement of its off-duty access policy, which restricts workers’ presence in Amazon buildings or work areas when not on duty. This policy, which Amazon insists is lawful and common sense, is under scrutiny by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The Board’s general counsel has accused Amazon of violating federal law by limiting workers’ rights to organize and is seeking to overturn this policy in an upcoming trial.
Connor Spence, a key figure in the Amazon Labor Union and its victory at the Staten Island warehouse, was recently fired for allegedly violating this off-duty access rule. Spence had been actively involved in organizing efforts, including leading a walkout to demand higher wages and better treatment for pregnant workers. His termination occurred while he was under suspension for planning a walkout and in the midst of his involvement in union efforts at the Kentucky air hub.
Amazon, through its spokesperson Lisa Levandowski, maintains that these disciplinary actions are solely due to violations of company rules and are not related to union organizing activities. However, this claim is disputed by union supporters and labor rights activists. Spence, for his part, has filed a charge with the NLRB, accusing Amazon of unfair labor practices.
The situation at the Kentucky air hub further illustrates Amazon’s aggressive stance. Union organizers there have been subjected to increased scrutiny and disciplinary actions, including the issuing of final written warnings for refusing to remove tables used to distribute union materials. This has raised questions about the extent to which Amazon employees can engage with co-workers about unionization.
Amazon’s policy towards unionization has been a contentious issue for years. The company had previously prohibited workers from lingering in nonwork areas, impeding unionization talks. Although a 2021 settlement with the NLRB temporarily lifted these restrictions, Amazon reinstated them after the Staten Island union victory, citing the NLRB’s consolidated complaint.
The current policy is set to be reviewed in an upcoming trial. Union supporters argue that Amazon’s reinstatement of these restrictions is a direct response to the success of their organizing efforts. They contend that the more relaxed policy had played a crucial role in their Staten Island victory, allowing them to engage with a large number of workers daily.
As Amazon continues to challenge unionization efforts, the outcome of these legal battles and the company’s responses to organizing activities will be closely scrutinized. The situation underscores the ongoing struggle between major corporations and workers seeking to exercise their right to organize and collectively bargain.
