Amazon workers in Garner, North Carolina, have voted against unionization efforts at the RDU1 facility. This decision comes after a prolonged campaign by organizers seeking to secure higher wages and longer breaks. Of the 3,276 ballots cast, 2,447 votes opposed the union, while 829 were in favor, according to CAUSE, the group leading the unionization efforts. This outcome represents a significant setback for the organizers who have been advocating for change since 2022.
CAUSE has been actively campaigning to represent the workers at RDU1, aiming to negotiate wages of $30 an hour. The group's efforts have been supported by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which coordinated a picket effort at nine Amazon facilities in December. Despite their efforts, Amazon has refused to recognize the union and bargain with its leadership. The company maintains that employees have the right to decide on union membership and emphasizes that it communicates openly about these topics to ensure employees are well-informed.
"We're glad that our team in Garner was able to have their voices heard, and that they chose to keep a direct relationship with Amazon," said Eileen Hards, an Amazon spokesperson.
Amazon's stance on unionization has remained firm as it seeks to maintain direct relationships with its employees. The company is the nation's second-largest private employer and has historically resisted union efforts within its workforce. Starting pay at the RDU1 facility is $18.50 an hour, and the facility employs approximately 4,700 workers. Labor groups have looked beyond NLRB elections in their attempts to establish a union presence at Amazon.
North Carolina, where RDU1 is located, had the lowest union membership rate in the country last year, with only 2.4% of workers represented. This context further underscores the challenges faced by organizers in their campaign efforts. The Teamsters union represents 9,000 Amazon workers across the country, yet union membership in the private sector slightly declined to 5.9% in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
"Amazon may think it is above the law, but we will not accept a system that allows billionaires and corporations to play by a different set of rules," CAUSE stated after the election results.
CAUSE attributes the election outcome to what it describes as Amazon's unwillingness to abide by labor laws. The group has criticized Amazon's approach and has vowed to continue fighting for workers' rights within the corporate giant's facilities.
"result of Amazon's willingness to break the law," CAUSE claimed regarding the election outcome.
Amazon's leadership at the warehouse encouraged employees to "vote no," asserting that a union "can get in the way of how we work together." This sentiment reflects Amazon's broader strategy of maintaining direct communication and relationships with its workforce.