Breaking from Alabama: We are very closebe in learning the results from historical union elections in Amazon Bessemer, AThe warehouse. The Union of Retail, Wholesale and Department Stores (RWDSU) reports that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has received 3,125 ballots. This means that a majority of about 5,800 workers cast votes.
No, the vote count is not yet included. The NLRB expects the public part of the count, visible to journalists and certain observers via video call, to begin this afternoon. We don’t know how long this will take, but it’s safe to assume that the count will span several hours. Each of the more than 3,000 ballots will be counted by hand, one at a time.
As previously reported, some voters may not be eligible take part, for example, former employees. Under labor law, Amazon is the only party to provide the list of names eligible for election. The company provided the voter list to the NLRBs and the union was able to contact the people on the list before the count.
On Tuesday, in a private count with the NLRB, observers (Amazon and RWDSU included) they were allowed to challenge each other’s names without opening ballot in the reasons, for example, of eligibility or whether voter names match the list provided by Amazon. Disputed ballots are reserved and an NLRB regional director may arbitrate each individually after the public count. He NLRB hasn’t shared it how many ballots have been contested, but this group could change the election, depending on the volume. Observers may challenge each vote during this process.
The union needs 50 percent, plus one vote, to win.
But if the number of disputed ballots is substantial enough (e.g., a stack of 1,000 ballots answered), a regional director of the NLRB will hold a hearing. They will then rule on the validity of each vote, either by setting it aside or adding it on either side.
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The next process can take months. We have one explainer here.
The mail election lasted about two months, during which time Amazon organized an expensive group anti-union consultants ia diffused a sweeping of agitprop via text messages, posters, emails, Contraction announcements, and captive audience meetings. The RWDSU has said By cable, Amazon photographed the identification badges of workers who disputed the speculative anti-union claims.
Once the public count begins, the NLRB will reveal the number of ballots already contested.
The results are expected maybe today, maybe tomorrow, maybe Monday, maybe very far from the future. We will keep you up to date.