Amazon workers in upstate New York file for union election

NEW YORK –

Workers from another warehouse, who were supported by the grassroots labour organization that won the first ever union victory for Amazon warehouses in the U.S., filed a petition Tuesday asking for an election in Upstate New York. This was in the hope of getting a similar outcome.

A spokesperson for National Labor Relations Board said The petition was filed in support of the warehouse ALB1, situated in Schodack, about 10 miles (16.09 kilometers) southeast Albany.

The NLRB needs signatures from at least 30% of the eligible voters in order to qualify for a union election. Amazon did not immediately respond when asked about the number of employees located at Schodack.

Heather Goodall is a warehouse worker who was also an ex-insurance agent and she’s now leading the organizing effort. said In an interview, she stated that workers had sufficient support to file a petition for unionization but chose to wait to collect more signatures. Tuesday was her last day. said The attorneys of the group were unable to provide information on the number signed by the group to the public.

Now, the NLRB will verify that the petition’s signers are eligible to run for office. If the agency agrees, it will determine dates and times to hold an election between Amazon Labor Union and the company. This union won on Staten Island, New York, in April.

After Goodall approached it to help organize Upstate New York’s warehouse workers, the union was founded. Goodall joined Amazon in February to evaluate their working conditions. She began to talk to her coworkers and launched the union campaign with a few other workers in May.

Soon after, Goodall said She met with the Teamsters and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, also known as RWDSU, who took on Amazon in a union election at a Bessemer, Alabama facility. The results are still being debated.

Finally, she said The organizers decided to take a grassroots approach and join the ALU because they believed the group knew the company better than any other established unions.

Goodall stated, “It seemed sensible that we work directly alongside them, and continue building the Amazon Labor Union national.” said.

A labour victory at Schodack would in essence increase ALU’s support within Amazon, and make it a point of contact for labour concerns beyond Staten Island. It could also revive enthusiasm after the group’s May defeat at Staten Island’s second warehouse and reports of its suspension of organizing at two other nearby facilities.

The ALU defends its win against Amazon. Amazon has made more than two dozen objections. During a contentious NLRB hearing, which lasted for weeks and ended in mid-July, attorneys from both sides attempted to discredit each other’s claims. The ruling is expected in the next few weeks.

Numerous TikTok creators pledge to stop Amazon business until the union demands a minimum wage of $30 per hour and longer breaks. Gen Z for Change, a non-profit organization representing around 70 content creators, announced Tuesday that it will be supporting a campaign to stop Amazon from monetizing their platforms unless there are “tangible improvements” to working conditions.

According to a Twitter message, the TikTok Community and TikTok Creators stated that Amazon’s widespread mistreatments of workers and the blatant use union-busting techniques will not be tolerated.

Amazon did not respond immediately to a request for comment regarding the Tuesday election filing or the campaign.

As workers try to collect enough signatures to petition their local elections, other campaigns are being held at warehouses of companies in North Carolina and Kentucky. Upstate New York workers want better training and higher wages.

Goodall stated, “We have employees who are unable even to make it to work because their gas costs are prohibitive.” said. They are unable to afford repairs on their cars and can’t support their families.

The petition was submitted amid increased scrutiny over Amazon and its warehouse operations throughout the country. On Monday, many workers at the company’s air hub in San Bernardino (California) walked out of their jobs to protest low wages, and heat safety.

Federal officials are also more involved. OSHA visited Amazon facilities in several states last month after being referred for safety and health violations. The U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District New York civil division is also investigating safety hazards in Amazon warehouses. One spokesperson said the office is looking into “fraudulent behavior designed to conceal injuries from OSHA, OSHA, and others.”