Amazon workers at a warehouse in Garner, North Carolina, have voted overwhelmingly against unionizing, marking another setback for labor groups trying to organize within the e-commerce giant. Out of the 3,276 ballots cast, 2,447 workers voted against union representation, while only 829 supported it. Although there were 77 challenged ballots, the margin was too wide for the outcome to change, according to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The election results still await certification by the NLRB.
The vote took place at Amazon’s RDU1 facility, located in the Raleigh suburb of Garner, which employs approximately 4,700 workers. Organizing efforts at the warehouse have been ongoing since 2022, led by the grassroots group Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment (CAUSE). Despite the defeat, CAUSE maintains that the election was influenced by what they describe as Amazon’s illegal anti-union tactics.
Organizers Accuse Amazon of Intimidation
In a statement following the election, CAUSE alleged that Amazon’s actions during the campaign violated labor laws. “Amazon’s relentless and illegal efforts to intimidate us prove that this company is afraid of workers coming together to claim our power,” the group said. They also vowed to continue their organizing efforts, citing the struggles of many Amazon employees with food and housing insecurity.
Amazon denied the allegations of wrongdoing. Spokeswoman Eileen Hards responded, “We’re glad that our team in Garner was able to have their voices heard, and that they chose to keep a direct relationship with Amazon.” Hards added that the company looks forward to continuing to support employees and maintaining a collaborative work environment.
A History of Union Resistance at Amazon
Amazon, the second-largest private employer in the United States, has long been resistant to unionization. The company narrowly lost its first union battle in 2022, when workers at a Staten Island warehouse in New York successfully voted to join the Amazon Labor Union. Since then, labor groups have faced uphill battles in their attempts to organize Amazon facilities.
CAUSE, founded by RDU1 employees Mary Hill and Rev. Ryan Brown, began as a response to Amazon’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The group sought to negotiate for higher wages — proposing $30 an hour compared to the current starting pay of $18.50 — and for longer employee breaks.
Amazon responded to the union campaign with a robust anti-union strategy. It disseminated messages through its employee app and within the warehouse, urging workers to vote against unionization. The company framed CAUSE as an “outside party” that could disrupt the workplace dynamic.
Unionization Challenges in North Carolina
North Carolina remains a particularly challenging state for union organizers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, North Carolina had the lowest union membership rate in the country in 2024, with only 2.4% of workers represented by unions. While public support for unions has grown nationally — with 67% of Americans expressing approval, according to Gallup — private sector union membership has remained stagnant, dropping slightly to 5.9% last year.
Labor Groups Continue to Push for Change
Despite this latest defeat, labor groups remain undeterred. Unions like the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have sought alternative strategies to gain a foothold at Amazon, including filing unfair labor practice charges and coordinating picket efforts. The Teamsters union claims to represent 9,000 Amazon workers nationwide, although the company has refused to formally recognize the union.
CAUSE has pledged to continue organizing at RDU1, emphasizing the economic challenges faced by many workers. In their statement, the group said, “Over half of Amazon employees are still struggling with food and housing insecurity.”
While unionization efforts have gained traction at companies like Starbucks and Apple, Amazon’s dominance and aggressive opposition present unique challenges for labor groups. Whether organizers can overcome these obstacles remains an open question as the broader labor movement in the U.S. continues to evolve.
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