An Amazon (Seattle) warehouse in Staten Island, N.Y., has voted in favor of unionizing, with 2654 votes in favor and 2131 votes against, reports Retail Dive. The vote has yet to be officially certified by the National Labor Relations Board.
Amazon released a statement today, reading, “We’re disappointed with the outcome of the election in Staten Island because we believe having a direct relationship with the company is best for our employees. We’re evaluating our options, including filing objections based on the inappropriate and undue influence by the NLRB that we and others (including the National Retail Federation and U.S. Chamber of Commerce) witnessed in this election.”
This past Thursday, there was another union vote conducted at a warehouse in Bessemer, Ala., which favored Amazon – 993 against and 875 votes in favor. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union is reportedly prepared to file objections against what it believes to be anti-union tactics conducted by Amazon, as well as challenge 416 of the votes.
Recently a letter was issued to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy from the House of Committee on Oversight and Reform calling for documents related to the online behemoth’s “labor practices, particularly during severe weather events.” Last year, six people died when a tornado hit an Amazon facility in Edwardsville, Ill.