Amazon Accused of Illegally Interfering With Union Election The ecommerce giant is being accused of violating the National Labor Relations Act.

By Chloe Arrojado Edited by Dan Bova

picture alliance | Getty Images

Employees in Amazon's Bessemer, Alabama warehouse are currently in the midst of a union rerun election after last year's vote against unionizing was successfully challenged by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). Now the second vote, which began on February 4 and will conclude on March 28, is being challenged by the RWDSU once again.

A Tuesday email sent from the RWDSU is accusing the ecommerce giant of violating the National Labor Relations Act. According to Engadget, the union has accused Amazon of illegally interfering during the second election, using tactics such as forcing workers to attend anti-union meetings and implementing a new rule that limits the time workers can spend inside the facility to 30 minutes before and after their shift.

Amazon has rejected these accusations. But if the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) deems Amazon's actions illegal, the RWDSU may have a chance of challenging the result of the second election.

"While we haven't seen today's filing yet, we're confident that our teams have fully complied with the law. Our focus remains on working directly with our team to make Amazon a great place to work," Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel told Engadget.

Related: Amazon Tracks Warehouse Workers' Every Move Because Jeff Bezos Thinks People Are Inherently Lazy, Report Says

According to a notice sent by the NLRB, Amazon interfered with "employees' exercise of a free and reasoned choice" during last year's election by using intimidation and improper strategies.

"The election that commenced on February 8, 2021, was set aside because the National Labor Relations Board found the Employer interfered with the employees' exercise of a free and reasoned choice by creating the appearance of irregularity in the election procedure by causing a mailbox to be installed outside the Employer's main entrance and by improperly polling employees' support during mandatory meetings," the notice said.

The 2021 election resulted in an overwhelming majority of warehouse employees voting not to unionize.

Related: Five Ways Businesses Can Use Amazon's Mission Statement as a Growth Strategy

Chloe Arrojado

Entrepreneur Staff

Editorial Assistant

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Marketing

Create Visuals, Content, and Presentations That Land with This $25 Bundle

Learn how to command attention and build brand trust in any room.

Starting a Business

How to Build a Side Hustle That Stands on Its Own — Without Burning Out

Ready to take your side hustle to the next level? This article shows you how to turn it into its own unique brand that gets noticed and grows on its own.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business Solutions

Microsoft Office Pro 2021 Gives Your Team the Edge at a One-Time $40 Cost

Essential tools for serious productivity — minus the monthly fees.

Thought Leaders

These 5 Quotes Will Keep You Motivated No Matter Where Your Startup Journey Takes You

Discover five powerful quotes that inspire entrepreneurs at every stage of the startup journey — from idea to scale. A must-read for founders seeking motivation and clarity.

Science & Technology

101 Small Business Ideas to Match Your Personality, Investment, Skills & Goals

Still stuck on what biz to start? Use AI to uncover 101 custom ideas aligned with your skills, values & lifestyle—plus a 90-day roadmap to launch with clarity.