Amazon workers who want to form unions now have an easier path, CNET reports. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has reached a settlement with the e-commerce giant to allow workers to "form, join or assist unions," select representatives to negotiate for them, and "act with other employees" to obtain workers' "benefits and protections."
Amazon warehouse employees will also no longer be forced to leave the "non-work area" 15 minutes before and after starting work.
NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo said in a statement Thursday: "Whether a company has 10 employees or 1 million employees, it must comply with the National Labor Relations Act." The settlement provides Amazon's important promise to millions of workers across the Country that it will not interfere with their rights to improve their workplaces by forming unions or taking other collective action. ”
"Workers should know that the National Labor Relations Board will vigorously seek to ensure that Amazon complies with the settlement agreement and continues to defend the labor rights of all workers."
News of the agreement came Thursday after The New York Times filed an application for the Freedom of Information Act. Nearly a month had passed since a regional director of the NLRB had canceled a union vote at an Amazon warehouse in Alabama. The decision was based in part on Amazon placing a mailbox at the entrance to the facility, along with a sign telling workers to vote.
Regional Director Lisa Henderson wrote in her 20-page ruling that by placing mailboxes and signs, Amazon installed its own ballot collection box, which violated NLRB's protocol because it indicated the company was voting. The mailbox is also placed in the field of view of multiple security cameras.
In a statement provided to CNET at the time, Amazon said it was disappointed with the decision and reiterated that it did not believe the union would benefit its employees. The company did not respond to complaints about its violations of labor laws before the vote.
Amazon did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment.