BREAKING: Amazon Loses Union Election In Staten Island in David vs. Goliath-Like Contest
One of the most watched union elections in years is over, with a small, independent upstart union—with help from other unions and left-leaning organizations—prevailing against one of the largest and richest corporations in the world.
On Friday, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) concluded its ballot count which resulted in the Amazon Labor Union winning 2300 to 1800.
Throughout its campaign against Amazon, although the Amazon Labor Union has maintained its independence, it has had support from “grassroots community groups, unions, as well as political and socialist organizations,” according to People’s World.
For the last month, phone banking events have been happening multiple days a week at the Communist Party headquarters as well as the UNITE HERE Local 100 office in Manhattan. CPUSA clubs across the country have mobilized for remote phone banking, with hundreds of members contributing their time to the ALU struggle. Additionally, UFCW Local 342, CWA Local 1102, and the Coalition for Black Trade Unionists—which has been mobilizing organizers to support ALU since last summer—have contributed their resources to contacting Amazon workers. [Emphasis added.]
While the NLRB must still certify the election results, and Amazon could file objections, the fact that a small, independent union that was started by a single employee who had been fired from his job has been nothing short of remarkable.
Outcome Uncertain in Alabama
In a separate election count on Thursday, Amazon “won” 993 to 875 votes cast for the Retail, Wholesale & Department Store Union (RWDSU) in Bessemer, Alabama.
However, there were 416 challenged ballots, which means they could ultimately determine the outcome.
Which, if any, of the challenged ballots will be opened will be determined by the NLRB in a few weeks.
Go to LaborUnionNews.com for more updates.
