Amazon threatened layoffs during union drive, labor group says in calling for vote to be scrapped

The retail union that failed in an effort to organize Amazon workers at a Alabama warehouse wants the results of a recent vote to be thrown out, alleging the ecommerce company illegally interfered with the process.

Workers at the Bessemer, Alabama, warehouse voted earlier this month against forming a collective bargaining unit that would have had them join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). Now the labor group claims in a filing with the National Labor Relations Board that Amazon threatened workers with layoffs and even to close the warehouse if they unionized. It also said Amazon fired a pro-union employee, but declined to name the person. Many of the union's other allegations revolve around a mailbox that Amazon installed in the parking lot of the warehouse. It said the mailbox created a false appearance that Amazon was conducting the election, intimidating workers into voting against the union. Security cameras in the parking lot could have recorded workers going to the mailbox, giving the impression that workers were being watched by the company and that their votes weren't private, according to the retail union.