Garner, NC – Amazon is facing a significant union challenge as more than 4,000 workers at its Garner, North Carolina, facility vote on whether to unionize. The election, overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), runs for six days, with ballots set to be counted on Saturday. If successful, the union, Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment (CAUSE), would be only the second to win representation at an Amazon facility in the U.S., following a 2022 victory in Staten Island, New York.
The Stakes for Amazon and the Union
Despite North Carolina having the lowest union membership rate in the country at just 2.4%, union leaders remain optimistic. “Amazon is doing everything to stop us, but their fear tells us we’re on the verge of something great,” said Italo Medelius-Marsano, an Amazon worker and campaign leader.
Amazon has a history of opposing unionization and maintains that workers prefer direct engagement with management. “We believe our employees favor opportunities to have their unique voice heard by working directly with our team,” said Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards. The company touts its wages, which range from $18.50 to $23.80 per hour, but union organizers are pushing for $30 per hour, arguing that Amazon’s $2.4 trillion market cap and $59 billion net income in 2024 justify higher pay.
Amazon’s Battle Against Unionization
Even if CAUSE wins the vote, securing a contract could take years. Amazon continues to challenge the Staten Island union vote in court and has refused to negotiate with the Amazon Labor Union. Past unionization attempts in Bessemer, Alabama, and Albany, New York, have also been unsuccessful.
Union organizers argue that the independent nature of CAUSE gives them an advantage. “Amazon paints us as outsiders, but we are the workers,” said Ryan Brown, a former Amazon employee who claims he was fired for union activity, an allegation Amazon denies.
Amazon has a long history of fighting unionization efforts at its facilities. It has defeated union organizing votes twice in Bessemer, Alabama, as well as at a second Staten Island facility next to the one that voted for the union. Another attempt outside of Albany, New York, also failed. The company has poured significant resources into anti-union campaigns, flying in consultants and using workplace meetings to dissuade workers from organizing.
Growing Union Pressure on Amazon
Union pressure on Amazon has been increasing. Workers at a Whole Foods in Philadelphia recently voted to unionize, marking the first successful unionization effort at the Amazon-owned grocery chain. Additionally, the Teamsters launched a six-day strike just before Christmas, adding to the company’s labor struggles. This strike primarily involved Amazon delivery drivers, who officially work for independent contractors, though the union argues they should be considered Amazon employees.
Meanwhile, CAUSE has filed unfair labor practice complaints against Amazon, adding to the company’s growing legal battles with the NLRB. Labor agency staff and administrative law judges have ruled against Amazon in numerous cases, including one that required the court to set aside the 2022 rerun election in Alabama and order a third vote there.
What’s Next for the Garner Amazon Workers?
With the union fight intensifying, the outcome of this vote could have significant implications for Amazon workers nationwide. “This is a long battle,” Brown said. “But we’re committed for the long haul.”
CAUSE organizers believe their movement is gaining traction and that workers nationwide will be watching their efforts closely. “The workers want Amazon to recognize their humanity and not treat them like robots,” said Medelius-Marsano. “Our cheap labor has helped produce so much wealth. But they won’t even meet us halfway.”
If successful, the union drive in North Carolina could set a precedent for future organizing efforts at Amazon facilities across the country, potentially reshaping labor relations at one of the world’s largest companies.
