Amazon’s union momentum in Alabama registers 55% of voters

More than 3,200 votes were cast in a high-stakes union election at one of Amazon’s Alabama stores, according to the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union.

The election was open to more than 5,800 employees at Amazon’s warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama, who vote if they join RWDSU. With a total of 3,215 votes, a turnout of approximately 55% was obtained, which is higher than the RWDSU initially estimated.

Workers had until March 29 to mail the ballots. The vote count began last week through a private video conference, chaired by the NLRB, during which Amazon and the union could challenge votes based on factors such as an illegible signature or whether the job classification of a person gives them the right to vote.

The public part of the vote count is expected to begin as early as Thursday or Friday morning, the RWDSU said.

According to RWDSU, hundreds of ballots were challenged, mostly by Amazon. If the margin of victory ends up being less than the total number of contested ballots, the final count will be temporarily halted until they are resolved by a hearing held by the NLRB. All accepted ballots will be added to your account.

There could be even more legal challenges, as Amazon or the union have a chance to challenge election results, which could further delay the outcome.

The election in Bessemer has become a highly watched event inside and outside Amazon, as it would establish the first union in one of the e-commerce giant’s warehouses in the US.

Bessemer’s pro-union employees have raised several issues about the dizzying pace of work, lack of adequate rest time and other grievances. Still, Amazon has stated that it does not need a union to join its workers.

Representatives from Amazon and the NLRB did not immediately respond to a request for comment.