According to CNBC, Amazon held a commanding lead in the union election at one of its Alabama warehouses, with half the votes counted.
- Out of the 3,215 ballots cast, there were 1,100 votes against unionization and 463 votes in support. The preliminary results put Amazon ahead by over a 2-1 margin.
- The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will resume counting over 1,000 more ballots on Friday. Hundreds of ballots are also contested, most of which are challenged by Amazon.
- Some 5,800 workers at the Bessemer warehouse were eligible to cast ballots to decide whether to join Retail, Wholesale, or Department Store Union (RWDSU). A rough estimate of 55% cast ballots in the election.
- RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum called on the NLRB to probe Amazon’s conduct during the election, claiming it improperly pushed the US Postal Service to install a mailbox at the Bessemer facility.
- Appelbaum said Amazon took full advantage of the system, and the group will call on the labor board to hold Amazon accountable.
- Amazon Spokesperson Rachael Lightly said the mailbox was installed to make voting easy and was an optional way for employees to vote.
