More than 6,100 Amazon employees at an Alabama warehouse are set to take their second vote to unionize on Friday (Feb. 4), The Wall Street Journal reported.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), an independent federal agency created by Congress to assure fair labor practices, said the votes are due by Friday, March 25.
On the first election one year ago, 71% of Amazon workers voted against unionization, putting the eCommerce giant in the driver’s seat. But the NLRB said it discovered Amazon violated labor law during the election and ordered a second vote.
Amazon denied the allegations and said it has listened to workers and offers great pay and benefits in a safe and inclusive workplace. The company said it opposes a union and prefers to negotiate with employees directly.
Since the first vote, Amazon has boosted wages with an average pay at $18 an hour and started to offer bonuses of up to $3,000. In addition, the company said it has eased the pace at which workers must prepare packages.
Union organizers said this time, the increased vaccination rate in the country has made it easier to meet with workers. In the last election, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union had to depend on phone calls and brochures sent via the mail.
Kristina Bell, a worker at the Bessemer, Alabama plant and union organizer, said this time employees know more about unions and their mission.
Another union vote could be coming soon by workers at an Amazon facility on Staten Island in New York. The plant recently received at least 30% of workers support, the minimum required to hold a vote.
See also: US Regulator Confirms Amazon Employees in Staten Island Can Hold Union Vote
A hearing on the election by the NLRB is scheduled for Feb. 16.
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