Third Union Vote Ordered at Amazon's Bessemer Facility

An administrative law judge has ordered a third union election at Amazon's Bessemer, Alabama facility after ruling that Amazon engaged in illegal practices during the 2022 union vote. The judge found that Amazon unlawfully confiscated union materials and threatened to close the facility if workers unionized, significantly impacting the fairness of the vote. This decision follows previous elections in 2021 and 2022, both of which were marred by allegations of unfair labor practices by Amazon. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), which has been pushing for unionization, criticized the ruling for not providing sufficient remedies to ensure a fair election. Amazon plans to appeal the decision, maintaining that its employees have repeatedly expressed their desire not to unionize. The case highlights ongoing tensions between Amazon and labor organizers in a state with a complex history of labor relations.