The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued a complaint against Amazon, alleging that the company illegally threatened, surveilled, and interrogated workers who were trying to start a union at its Staten Island, New York facilities. The company also reportedly hired a union avoidance consultant who told workers that the union organizers were “thugs,” according to Motherboard.
The NLRB complaint, a copy of which was obtained by The Verge, details other alleged incidents between Amazon and union organizers, including multiple times when security guards kept organizers from distributing pamphlets that discussed unions. The company also allegedly “solicited grievances from employees with an express promise to remedy them if they rejected the Union as their bargaining representative,” according to the complaint.
Amazon will either have to settle this case or have it go to trial, and the NLRB is calling for it to implement training for managers, supervisors, security guards, and union avoidance consultants to make sure they’re aware of workers’ legal rights.
The NLRB has had several disputes with Amazon
The NLRB has had several other disputes with Amazon around labor law. In December, the company settled several cases with the regulator, agreeing to post notices to current and former employees about their rights to join a union, and the legal protections they have against retaliation. Amazon also agreed to change rules that made it difficult for workers to organize together. The NLRB found that the company violated labor laws during a union election in Bessemer, Alabama as well, and ordered a redo. In the original election, workers voted against unionizing by over two to one.
The NLRB sent The Verge a statement from Kathy Drew King, Regional Director for Region 29 about its complaint. It reads:
Workers have the right under federal labor law to join and form unions and employersare prohibited from interfering with that right. Today the NLRB issued a complaint against Amazon alleging that the company repeatedly broke the law by threatening, surveilling, and interrogating their Staten Island warehouse workers who are engaged in a union organizing campaign. The complaint seeks to stop and remedy this unlawful conduct to ensure that Amazon’s employees can freely and fairly exercise their rights under the National Labor Relations Act.
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Amazon didn’t immediately respond to The Verge’s request for comment. Motherboard reports that an Amazon spokesperson denied the allegations.
On Thursday the Amazon Labor Union (or ALU), which has been organizing at Amazon’s Staten Island facilities, announced that it had successfully petitioned to hold a union election for the JFK8 warehouse. The election details are set to be determined after the NLRB hearing scheduled for February 16th. One of ALU’s organizers is Daequan Smith. Last week, the NLRB confirmed it was preparing to file a complaint alleging that Amazon illegally fired Smith for trying to unionize.
Update January 28th, 6:55PM ET: Added additional details from the complaint, as well as information about one of ALU’s organizers.
As an expert with a deep understanding of labor law and employment relations, I can provide valuable insights into the recent developments involving the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Amazon. My expertise is grounded in extensive knowledge of labor regulations, union activities, and the legal landscape surrounding workers' rights and employer responsibilities.
The NLRB's complaint against Amazon reveals a series of alleged violations related to union organizing activities at the Staten Island, New York facilities. The accusations include illegal threats, surveillance, and interrogation of workers who were attempting to start a union. These actions are not only serious breaches of federal labor laws but also indicative of a broader pattern of behavior by Amazon.
One crucial concept highlighted in the article is the right of workers to join and form unions under federal labor law. The NLRB asserts that Amazon repeatedly violated this right by engaging in unlawful conduct, such as intimidating and surveilling employees involved in union organizing campaigns. This underscores the significance of protecting workers' rights to freely and fairly exercise their rights as outlined in the National Labor Relations Act.
The involvement of a union avoidance consultant, who reportedly labeled union organizers as "thugs," adds another layer to the complexity of the case. This tactic is often employed by companies to discourage employees from unionizing. The NLRB's complaint not only addresses the alleged incidents but also calls for corrective measures, including training for managers, supervisors, security guards, and union avoidance consultants to ensure awareness of workers' legal rights.
The article also mentions previous disputes between the NLRB and Amazon, including settlements in December, where the company agreed to inform employees about their rights to join a union and made changes to rules hindering workers from organizing collectively. The NLRB found that Amazon violated labor laws during a union election in Bessemer, Alabama, ordering a redo.
Furthermore, the mention of the Amazon Labor Union (ALU) successfully petitioning for a union election at the JFK8 warehouse adds a dynamic element to the ongoing developments. The outcome of the NLRB hearing scheduled for February 16th will likely play a crucial role in shaping the future of labor relations at Amazon's Staten Island facilities.
In summary, my expertise in labor law allows me to interpret and contextualize the intricate details of the NLRB's complaint against Amazon, providing a comprehensive understanding of the legal implications and the broader dynamics at play in the realm of labor relations.
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