Almost five years after Amazon.com Inc. established a distribution center in Garner, N.C., Mary Hill, a 69-year-old employee, is spearheading a movement to unionize her 4,700 colleagues. Their goals include securing a $30 per hour wage and extended break times. Hill, who initially joined Amazon to assist her community in acquiring necessities during the COVID-19 lockdowns, now finds herself leading efforts for better working conditions and pay through the formation of a union.
This week, Hill and her fellow organizers gained the legal right to conduct a union election, potentially leading to representation by Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment. This group was formed amidst the pandemic as workers felt neglected by Amazon’s focus on product delivery over employee safety. Hill describes her disillusionment with Amazon, stating, “I thought Amazon was a great place to work, but then I realized it’s really just a sweatshop.”
Amazon in the Logistics Landscape
Amazon holds prominent positions in the logistics sector, being ranked first on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of North America’s largest logistics companies and also leading the global freight rankings. The unionization efforts are taking place against the backdrop of Garner, a community of 40,000 people just south of Raleigh, where the voting process is set to conclude on February 14. The results will be tallied by the National Labor Relations Board shortly thereafter.
However, the success of the unionization effort is uncertain. North Carolina featured the lowest union membership rate in the United States last year at 2.4%, significantly below the national average. Amazon’s wages, which can reach up to $19 an hour, are competitive for the region, which boasts a highly educated and well-compensated workforce due to the presence of three major research universities.
Amazon’s extensive hiring over the past 15 years has made it a significant target for unions looking to regain influence. The decline in union membership from over 20% four decades ago to about 10% today, especially in the private sector, has led organizations like the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to focus on Amazon as a key player in the industry.
Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards emphasized the company’s commitment to fair employee treatment, stating, “We’ve always said that we want our employees to have their voices heard, and we hope and expect this process allows for that. Amazon already offers what many unions are requesting: safe, inclusive workplaces, competitive pay, industry-leading benefits.”
Challenges and Progress in Unionization
Union success at Amazon has been limited, with only two significant victories. A facility in Staten Island, New York, successfully unionized under the Amazon Labor Union, which has aligned with the Teamsters. New York’s union membership rate stands at 20.6%, among the highest in the country. Similarly, an Amazon-owned Whole Foods Market in Philadelphia saw its workers vote to unionize, represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers International union.
In contrast, Amazon has won two union elections at a facility in Bessemer, Alabama, where union membership rates are below the national average. Allegations of company misconduct during these elections have led to calls for a third vote. Hill and her team have sought advice from the Amazon Labor Union and are drawing lessons from the experiences in Bessemer. They are framing their campaign as part of a broader civil rights movement to enhance its impact and relevance.
Despite potential success in the upcoming vote, Hill anticipates that negotiations with Amazon could extend over several years, similar to the ongoing situation in Staten Island where workers are still without a contract. Meanwhile, changes in the leadership at the National Labor Relations Board by the Trump administration have been cited by Amazon in efforts to challenge the validity of the Whole Foods union vote.
Hill remains hopeful, noting that many Amazon workers in Garner are from states with stronger union traditions, which may influence the success of their efforts. She believes that despite past frustrations with management, there is always room for negotiation and finding common ground.
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