Amazon workers vote against unionizing a North Carolina warehouse (opens in new tab)

(npr.org)

28 pointsRavlaAlvar1y ago16 comments

16 comments

This is something where the high turnover rate works in Amazon's favor. I remember reading that the average tenure in one of these positions is less than 12 months - and most employees only apply believing it's going to be a temporary gig.

It's tough to sell someone on paying union dues for benefits that might not materialize for many years.

The US would really benefit from European style unionization rules and process.

paulddraper1y ago

It’s also hard to convince people to do something that could result in immediate job loss.

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7438078

preinheimer1y ago

Just after a successful union vote in Quebec, Amazon decided to close all warehouses in the province. There’s lots of ways to send messages to workers.

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7438078

DiscourseFan1y ago

Yes but this only works once. If they close in another province they will open themselves up to steep competition. They may already be doing so, but they probably consider the risk in this case to outweigh the cost.

guywithahat1y ago

The richest city in the US (Detroit) was completely obliterated by unions. Companies are terrified of unions, and will spend tens of millions now to avoid losing hundreds of millions later. Worst part is all those losses don’t even go to the employees, the losses form through lost productivity.

I honestly wouldn’t be upset to see the NRLB go away; it was a good experiment but we now conclusively know it hurts workers.

e401y ago

Bold statements require proof. Please tell us how unions killed Detroit.

1 more reply

anticensor1y ago

Companies themselves should join employer unions just like employees join worker unions.

1 more reply

thecleaner1y ago

Wasnt Teamsters also the notorious shipbuilders union as well ?

midnitewarrior1y ago

What I imagine Amazon told the workers afterward:

"Thanks for your trust in us and allowing us to continue to operate this warehouse here."

whatever11y ago

Specially now that management has become completely unleashed I don’t understand how come more people don’t organize. Aholes like Musk have no power against organized labor. At least until everything has been automated.

ITB1y ago

Are you unionized?

whatever11y ago

My father was and none of his bosses showed any signs of disrespect during his 40 year career with the company.

My bosses treat people like shit and they get bonuses for that. I know for a fact that none of my peers will retire from the company they currently work at. They will find some sort of excuse to fire them way before that age.

guywithahat1y ago

Of course not; the people who are the most pro-union know nothing about them. If he experienced how dehumanizing and power hungry unions are he wouldn’t support them.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

16 comments

legitster1y ago

It's tough to sell someone on paying union dues for benefits that might not materialize for many years.

The US would really benefit from European style unionization rules and process.

paulddraper1y ago

It’s also hard to convince people to do something that could result in immediate job loss.

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7438078

preinheimer1y ago

Just after a successful union vote in Quebec, Amazon decided to close all warehouses in the province. There’s lots of ways to send messages to workers.

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7438078

DiscourseFan1y ago

guywithahat1y ago

I honestly wouldn’t be upset to see the NRLB go away; it was a good experiment but we now conclusively know it hurts workers.

e401y ago

Bold statements require proof. Please tell us how unions killed Detroit.

1 more reply

anticensor1y ago

Companies themselves should join employer unions just like employees join worker unions.

1 more reply

thecleaner1y ago

Wasnt Teamsters also the notorious shipbuilders union as well ?

midnitewarrior1y ago

What I imagine Amazon told the workers afterward:

"Thanks for your trust in us and allowing us to continue to operate this warehouse here."

whatever11y ago

ITB1y ago

Are you unionized?

whatever11y ago

My father was and none of his bosses showed any signs of disrespect during his 40 year career with the company.

guywithahat1y ago

Of course not; the people who are the most pro-union know nothing about them. If he experienced how dehumanizing and power hungry unions are he wouldn’t support them.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse