Amazon warehouse workers in Alabama petition to form a union

The Covid-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the plight of so-called essential workers, including those in Amazon’s logistics and delivery operations, whose labour helped many people reduce their exposure by having goods delivered to their homes. — AFP

Amazon.com Inc warehouse workers in Alabama, United States, filed a petition with the US National Labor Relations Board to form a union, the latest sign of strife between the online retailer and its large blue-collar workforce.

The federal agency posted a notice dated Nov 20 for a hearing to determine if the petition meets the criteria to advance to the next step. With enough support, it’ll proceed to a vote among those working at the warehouse outside Birmingham on whether to unionise and be represented by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. The recently opened facility in Bessemer employs about 1,500 people.