Workers at an Amazon warehouse in Garner, North Carolina, are set to vote next month on whether to form a union, making this the latest chapter in Amazon’s ongoing labor challenges. The vote, taking place from February 10 to February 15, will determine if the facility, known as RDU1, becomes the second Amazon warehouse in the U.S. to unionize.
Election Set for Next Month
The vote will be held at RDU1, a large Amazon fulfillment center employing around 4,300 workers. The unionization effort is spearheaded by Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity & Empowerment (CAUSE), a grassroots group made up of current and former employees. If successful, RDU1 would follow in the footsteps of Amazon’s Staten Island warehouse, JFK8, which voted to unionize in 2022. However, efforts to negotiate a contract have been difficult, and the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), which represents JFK8, has since affiliated with the Teamsters.
Amazon’s Opposition to Unionization
Amazon has consistently opposed unionization, claiming that direct communication with management is the best way to address worker concerns. In response to the upcoming election, company spokesperson Eileen Hards reiterated, “We’ve always said that we want our employees to have their voices heard, and we hope and expect this process allows for that.”
Amazon argues that RDU1 offers competitive wages and a strong safety record. Workers at the warehouse start at $18.50 per hour, which is more than double North Carolina’s minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. However, the company’s opposition to the unionization drive is evident in its actions. Amazon has held voluntary union education sessions, which CAUSE members claim are efforts to discourage unionization, and the company has displayed anti-union posters in the warehouse.
CAUSE’s Demands and Struggles
CAUSE is pushing for better working conditions, including a starting wage of $30 per hour and paid full-hour breaks during shifts that can last more than 10 hours. Currently, Amazon claims that U.S. fulfillment center workers earn between $18.50 and $29.50 an hour, with an average of $22.
To hold the election, CAUSE needed at least 30% of the workforce to sign authorization cards, and now they must secure over 50% of the votes to win the election. Ryan Brown, one of the founding members of CAUSE, expressed confidence in the workers’ resolve, stating, “Our team inside, they’re fighting like hell to get us to the finish line.”
However, Brown’s leadership of the movement has been controversial. Last month, he was fired after Amazon accused him of using racist and derogatory language toward a manager. Brown has denied these allegations, arguing that his dismissal was part of Amazon’s union-busting tactics.
A Broader Struggle for Workers’ Rights
Amazon has faced several attempts at unionization in recent years, with mixed results. In Bessemer, Alabama, for example, a federal judge ordered a third rerun election in 2023, after ruling that Amazon had interfered in previous voting. Despite these legal battles, Amazon has maintained a strong stance against unionization, arguing that groups like CAUSE lack experience and have not negotiated a union contract.
Nationwide, workers have continued to push for better working conditions. Last month, employees at nine Amazon facilities went on strike during the holiday season, seeking better wages and benefits. While Amazon claimed that the strike did not affect deliveries, it highlighted growing tensions between the company and its workforce.
Right-to-Work Laws and the Path Forward
North Carolina is a right-to-work state, meaning that employees cannot be forced to pay union dues even if a union is successfully formed. This adds another layer of difficulty for CAUSE, as membership participation and dues collection are essential for sustaining union activities.
