Union for 1.3 Million Food and Retail Workers Calls for Full Review of Ballots in Amazon Union Election After Company’s Ruthless Intimidation Campaign
UFCW Affiliate RWDSU Campaign to Unionize Amazon Workers in Alabama is Already Inspiring Many More Frontline Workers to Speak Out
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), which represents 1.3 million frontline workers in food and retail, is calling for a full review of the ballots cast in the Amazon union election in Alabama following the company’s ruthless campaign to intimidate employees. UFCW and its RWDSU affiliate led the campaign to unionize Amazon workers at the Bessemer facility and today, UFCW is demanding an investigation into the union-busting tactics used by the company in the lead-up to the election.
UFCW International President Marc Perrone released the following statement:
“Amazon workers in Alabama are ready to unionize and are speaking out for the safer working conditions they have earned as frontline workers during this pandemic. Today’s initial tally of votes in this election is just the beginning of this process and a full review of ballots must be conducted given Amazon’s ruthless intimidation campaign to pressure its Bessemer employees not to unionize. These Amazon workers fought valiantly to build a better life and have inspired millions of essential workers across the country with the courage they showed by making their voices heard in this union election.
“As the union for 1.3 million frontline workers, UFCW and its affiliate RWDSU will not rest until an independent investigation is complete and Amazon is held accountable for the shameless union-busting tactics it has deployed in an attempt to silence its Alabama workers. UFCW and the RWDSU Council will expose the ruthless worker intimidation campaign led by Jeff Bezos to tip the scales against these Amazon workers seeking to unionize. It is more clear than ever that Congress must pass the PRO Act and put an end to the vicious attacks waged by companies like Amazon that are hell-bent on denying their employees the right to form a union.
“Amazon is supposed to be a logistical genius with its entire business model based on delivering billions of packages a year to the correct addresses. Any evidence that Amazon was suddenly unable to provide accurate addresses for its own employees, when it came to mailing union election ballots, should raise serious red flags with federal labor officials. The brutal truth is that voter suppression is nothing new in the South, and throughout this union election in Alabama, Amazon has made clear that no tactic is beneath them.
“Make no mistake, this is just the beginning. Regardless of the outcome of this vote, these Amazon workers have helped unleash a tidal wave of more worker activism that will continue in the months and years ahead, as many more workers speak out for the good-paying union jobs our country needs for a strong economic recovery and revitalized American middle class.”
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UFCW is the largest private sector union in the United States, representing 1.3 million professionals and their families in healthcare, grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries. Our members serve our communities in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the UFCW at ufcw.org.