Amazon faces a legal challenge over union-busting tactics after workers drive for union recognition misses out by just a handful of votes.
49.5
per cent of the 2,600 workers who voted backed union recognition, falling short
by just 28 votes.
This result comes just weeks after union-busting tactics at the Coventry site were exposed when it was revealed workers had been bombarded with an unrelenting campaign of anti-union messages by company bosses, including multiple anti-union seminars.
Amazon now faces an outstanding legal challenge - known as an Inducement Claim - for pressuring workers into cancelling their union membership during the ballot period.
Amanda Gearing, GMB Senior Organiser, said:
“Our members have come agonisingly close to winning today and GMB will carry on the fight for the pay and recognition they deserve.
“Amazon bosses have created a culture of fear for low paid workers trying to improve their pay, terms and conditions.
“From day one Amazon have been relentless in their attacks on their own workforce.
“We’ve
seen workers pressured into attending six hours of anti-union seminars on top
of the fortune spent by Amazon bosses to scare workers
"Workers have been told they will get no pay rise this year and will have to lose even more benefits if they vote for union recognition.
“This
kind of union-busting has no place in 21st century Britain; but this is just
the beginning. Amazon now faces a legal challenge, while the fire lit by
workers in Coventry and across the UK is still burning".
Rosa Curling, Director of Foxglove legal, said:
“Every union member and organiser at GMB should be holding their heads high today after only just falling short in this historic vote, and in the face of Amazon’s union-busting.
“Attention must now turn to Amazon‘s behaviour during and before this ballot process. It’s time for Amazon to answer for its bullying, threats and unlawful one-click-to-quit QR codes. We are proud to be supporting over 900 workers in their inducement claims and we look forward to seeing Amazon in court.”
