Amazon pushes for in-person union vote for ‘valid, fair and successful elections’

Amazon is demanding that workers at an Alabama warehouse seeking to form a union vote in person rather than by mail in order to have “fair” elections, despite the continuing threat of the coronavirus.

The e-commerce giant filed a motion with the National Labor Relations Board on Thursday in hopes of delaying the election, which is scheduled to begin Feb.8, according to documents obtained by FOX Business. The move would give the NLRB more time to reconsider its earlier decision to hold the election by mail for nearly two months, USA Today reported.

“He felt that a mail-only election was the ‘safest’ approach … without ever weighing the alleged risk of spreading the virus against the public policy that ‘strongly favors’ allowing employees to vote in person, ”the NLRB wrote in its ruling. .

The NLRB declined to comment further.

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Amazon has argued that in-person voting is the best way to verify associate votes.

“We believe that the best approach for a valid, fair and successful election is one that is conducted manually, in person, which allows associates to easily check and vote near their workplace,” the door said. word of Amazon, Heather Knox. FOX company.

Knox also stated that Amazon “has provided the NLRB with a secure, confidential and convenient proposition for associates to vote on the spot, which is in the best interests of all parties – the convenience of associates, the loyalty of the votes and the speed of counting votes “.

In November, employees at the Bessemer plant filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board, saying they wanted to hold an election on forming a union to represent the 1,500 full-time and full-time workers. part-time distribution center. It does not include drivers, seasonal employees, professional employees and others.

Employees at the massive facility pack and ship “sortable packages, which are defined as packages not exceeding 25 pounds,” according to the NLRB.

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Employees want to be represented by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Stores Union.

“The purpose of coming together with our colleagues to form a union is to have better working conditions, better wages and to be treated with respect and dignity at work,” a website created to support the formation of a union at the Alabama Facility read.

Their pressure to form a union was supported by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Who said their efforts would mark a turning point for “every worker in America.”

Although the company said it was respecting its decision, Amazon said the warehouse had created thousands of full-time jobs at Bessemer since it opened in March. The average wage is $ 15.30 an hour, including comprehensive health care, vision care, and dental insurance.

“We respect the right of our employees to join or not to join a union, but we don’t believe that this group represents the majority of our employees’ views,” Knox said.

Either way, the company “will continue to insist on measures for a fair election” so that “everyone” can vote, she said.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.