Amazon Likely to Respond with Legal Action Following First Union Formation in New York, USA

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Amazon, which has adhered to a no-union management principle, is expected to appeal to the judiciary after a unionization proposal was approved for the first time in New York, USA. Amazon has actively opposed employees' unionization efforts and has responded legally to each case.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 7th (local time), Amazon stated in legal documents released that day that it would take legal action against the union organizers and the federal agency National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) before and during the union vote held on the 1st at JFK8, Amazon's largest warehouse in Staten Island, New York City.

Earlier, on the 1st, the NLRB announced that the union vote held at JFK8 resulted in a majority approval with 2,654 votes in favor and 2,131 against. This is the first time that a majority of votes in favor have been obtained among the various unionization efforts pursued at individual Amazon logistics warehouses. Accordingly, foreign media widely reported that the first union at Amazon has been formed.

In the lawsuit, Amazon claimed that the union organizers intimidated employees to cast votes favorable to unionization and pointed out that the NLRB pressured employees to vote by extending the voting period. Amazon also objected to the NLRB's criticism that Amazon was improperly influencing employees who were about to vote.

With Amazon announcing its intention to take legal action, attention is focused on whether the spark of this unionization movement, which for the first time exceeded a majority of votes in favor, will not be extinguished and will continue. Amazon has maintained a no-union management stance, stating that "unions are not the best answer for employees," and there have been reports of circumstances obstructing unionization efforts.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.