Amazon workers in North Carolina recently rejected an effort to unionize, marking a significant victory for the retail giant in its ongoing battle against unionization efforts. This decision has significant implications not only for Amazon’s labor practices but also for the future of worker organization in the e-commerce sector.
Amazon workers in North Carolina have voted against unionizing, marking a significant victory for the retail giant, which has strongly opposed organized labor at its U.S. facilities. Approximately three-quarters of the workers at the Garner warehouse, near Raleigh, voted against joining the union, dealing a blow to union advocates who have long sought to organize Amazon’s vast workforce across industries like warehousing, trucking, manufacturing, and data processing. A simple majority of the 4,300 workers was needed to form the union.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced the vote results on Saturday, revealing that 2,447 workers opposed unionization, while 829 voted in favor. Amazon maintains that its employees are better served by a direct relationship with the company rather than through union representation. In contrast, union officials argue that collective bargaining is essential for improving working conditions and wages.
Amazon expressed its satisfaction with the vote outcome, stating it was “glad” workers opted to maintain a direct relationship with the company. Union organizers, however, criticized the result, accusing Amazon of using “relentless and illegal efforts” to intimidate workers.
This vote follows a recent unionization victory at a Whole Foods location in Philadelphia, where workers voted to join a union for the first time at the grocery chain. Amazon has challenged this vote, alleging that union officials coerced workers, a claim the union denies.
The Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment (CAUSE) had hoped this vote would lead to Amazon’s second unionized warehouse following a successful unionization effort at a Staten Island facility in 2022. However, Amazon has yet to recognize that union’s legitimacy or engage in negotiations.
Union membership in the U.S. has been steadily declining, with only 9.9% of workers belonging to unions last year, down from 10% in 2023 and 11.1% a decade ago, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. North Carolina, in particular, has one of the lowest union membership rates in the country, at just 2.4%.
John Logan, a professor of labor and employment studies at San Francisco State University, noted that the odds of unionizing at Amazon are “massively against” any group of workers due to the company’s extensive anti-union campaigns and tactics.
CAUSE organizers had hoped to negotiate higher wages, including a $30 hourly rate, as well as longer lunch breaks, among other improvements. Workers at the Garner facility currently earn $18.50 an hour, more than double North Carolina’s minimum wage.
During the vote count on Saturday, CAUSE accused Amazon of improperly forcing three workers, who had been tasked with livestreaming the results, to leave. Amazon denied the allegations.
In its 2024 annual report, Amazon emphasized that unionized workplaces reduce operational flexibility, and the company acknowledged that its resistance to unionization could negatively affect its reputation and business.
While Amazon has faced some union victories, such as a vote in Quebec, it has also encountered setbacks. Earlier this year, the company began laying off nearly 1,700 workers in Quebec, which union officials claim is retaliation for a union vote. Amazon, however, has said that using contractors in Quebec would be more cost-effective for customers.
The company’s ongoing battle with the NLRB over a failed union vote in Bessemer, Alabama, remains unresolved. The agency has found evidence of management misconduct and has ordered a third election at the facility. Additionally, Amazon is challenging the NLRB’s very existence in a federal lawsuit filed in September, following the firing of several top officials by former President Donald Trump.
The North Carolina Amazon Union Vote: Key Details
In early 2025, Amazon workers at a facility in North Carolina cast their votes on whether to join a union. The vote came after months of campaigns and discussions about workers’ rights, wages, and working conditions. The outcome, however, was a clear defeat for the union organizers, with a majority of workers rejecting union membership.
While the exact vote tally has yet to be disclosed, the results are seen as a win for Amazon. This marks the latest in a series of unionization efforts at Amazon facilities across the U.S., many of which have also failed in recent years. The company has consistently opposed unionization, arguing that it can provide better benefits, wages, and working conditions without the need for a union.
Why Did Workers Reject the Union?
Several factors contributed to the rejection of the union by Amazon workers in North Carolina. According to industry experts, workers may have been swayed by Amazon’s counterarguments against unionization, including:
- Better Compensation: Amazon has steadily increased wages and benefits for its workers in recent years. The company recently announced pay increases and expanded benefits, making union membership less appealing to some employees.
- Union Resistance Campaigns: Amazon is known for its aggressive anti-union stance, often employing consultants and holding mandatory meetings to convince workers not to unionize. This influence likely played a significant role in the outcome.
- Workplace Conditions: While some workers cited concerns over working conditions as a reason to unionize, others felt that Amazon had improved its safety protocols and working environment in response to previous criticisms.
Implications for Amazon
This victory is a significant one for Amazon as it shows that, at least in North Carolina, workers are not inclined to unionize. The company has been able to maintain a flexible approach to labor management without the constraints of a union contract. This rejection of the union could have broader implications for future efforts to organize Amazon workers across the U.S.
- Increased Focus on Employee Benefits: With unionization efforts continuing to face opposition, Amazon may double down on offering competitive wages and benefits to its employees to mitigate further union campaigns.
- Impact on Future Unionization Efforts: The outcome of the North Carolina vote may embolden Amazon’s stance against unionization and deter other facilities from attempting to organize. It could also influence the approach of other companies within the e-commerce and retail sectors.
The Broader Conversation About Labor Rights
While Amazon’s victory in North Carolina is a win for the company, the broader debate about workers’ rights and unionization remains ongoing. In recent years, workers across industries have been pushing for more rights, higher wages, and better working conditions. Despite Amazon’s efforts to prevent unionization, the retail giant is part of a larger trend of companies facing pressure to improve labor conditions.
- Unionization in the U.S.: This vote is part of a larger movement in the U.S. that has seen increased union activity in sectors such as retail, technology, and healthcare. The challenge for union organizers will be convincing workers that unions can bring tangible benefits beyond what is already offered by employers like Amazon.
- Global Labor Trends: Globally, unions have been increasingly advocating for better conditions in warehouses and gig economy jobs, and Amazon’s resistance is part of that trend.
What’s Next for Amazon Workers?
Although the North Carolina vote was a defeat for unionization, it’s unlikely to be the last chapter in Amazon’s labor story. Many workers still argue that unions are the only way to secure long-term improvements in wages, job security, and working conditions.
For workers in Amazon facilities across the U.S., the rejection of the North Carolina union may serve as both a setback and an opportunity to re-evaluate the strategies they use to push for better conditions.
Conclusion
Amazon’s win in North Carolina is just one part of the ongoing battle over labor rights and unionization in the U.S. While the company continues to oppose unionization efforts, it is clear that the conversation about fair wages, better working conditions, and workers’ rights will not fade away. Whether workers at Amazon and other companies will continue to reject or embrace unionization depends on the ongoing balance of power between employers and employees.
The rejection of the union at Amazon’s North Carolina facility shows that while workers may appreciate higher wages and benefits, unions are not the solution for everyone. It also suggests that companies like Amazon will continue to focus on improving employee satisfaction through direct compensation and benefits.
FAQ’s:
Why did Amazon workers in North Carolina reject the union?
Workers likely rejected the union due to Amazon’s improved wages, benefits, and safety measures, along with its anti-union campaigns.
What is the impact of this rejection on Amazon?
This victory allows Amazon to continue operating without union constraints, keeping flexibility in labor management.
Does this defeat end unionization efforts at Amazon?
No, this is just one battle in the larger fight for better worker conditions at Amazon. Union efforts may continue at other locations.
What are the broader implications for the labor movement in the U.S.?
The rejection highlights the ongoing struggle for labor rights and unionization across various industries, including retail and technology.
Will other Amazon locations try to unionize after this rejection?
It’s possible, but the outcome of this vote may discourage future efforts. Workers will likely evaluate the benefits of unionizing based on their own conditions.
How does Amazon prevent unionization?
Amazon uses various methods, including anti-union campaigns and offering attractive pay and benefits, to dissuade workers from unionizing.