BESSEMER, Al. : Workers at Amazon.com Inc seeking to organize a warehouse in Alabama after a bruising defeat last year have been invigorated by a resurgent labor movement, bringing energy to the campaign despite the long odds they face.
Yet since the last vote, the American labor movement has gained momentum, motivated by the high-profile Alabama campaign, ongoing pandemic concerns and strikes. Simply by casting ballots,"You give more people the courage to stand up and say, 'Hey, we want to form a union,'" Wright said. For Amazon, unions threaten to alter how the online retailer manages its vast operation and drive up labor costs beyond what the company said was $4 billion in extra expenses related to a worker shortage last quarter.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel has said workers' safety is a top priority and that the company is investing heavily to help staff. Regarding the union contests in Alabama and New York, she said,"We look forward to having our employees' voices heard in these elections, and our focus remains on working directly with our team to make Amazon a great place to work."Employee Eli Morrison needs no persuading.