Amazon Labor Union wins election challenge in a "great day for labor"
New York, New York - The Amazon Labor Union (ALU) scored a huge victory on Thursday as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled against the e-commerce giant's challenge to its successful union vote.
After weeks of hearings, the NLRB has ruled against Amazon's objections to the election result on Staten Island in a big win for organized labor.
The JFK8 warehouse became Amazon's first US facility to vote to unionize last April, but the results of the election have yet to be certified amid the company's challenge.
Among other allegations, the company had accused ALU supporters of threatening and intimidating voters, recording voters at the polling place, and passing out weed in an attempt to sway voters. They claimed these and other actions "suppressed turnout" and created a chilling effect among voters.
The NLRB officer who presided over the hearings determined that those objections "should be overruled in their entirety."
While Amazon has said they plan to appeal the decision, the NLRB ruling is a huge boost for the Amazon Labor Union and the first step toward certification.
"Today is a great day for Labor," tweeted ALU President Christian Smalls. "Once again we proven that our campaign was power!"
ALU Vice President Derrick Palmer said, "The people have spoken and it’s time for amazon to recognize the Amazon Labor Union and negotiate a contract."
Cover photo: MICHAEL M. SANTIAGO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP