Exclusive: Amazon instructs New York workers ‘don’t sign’ union cards

Amazon, the second-largest employer in america, has made plain its need to maintain its workforce from unionizing. In considered one of its warehouses, ALB1 in upstate New York, that message has turn out to be crystal clear: “Do not signal a card.” 

Images of the brand new digital signage have been despatched to Engadget by an worker on the facility. Their presence was confirmed by a second worker, David, who claims to have been on the success heart roughly since its opening in 2020. In accordance with David (whose full identify is being withheld for worry of retribution by his employer), the carousel of anti-union posters went up in the present day and cycles between roughly seven completely different slides, every actively discouraging staff from signing a union card. “It is on a relentless loop whereas individuals punch in and punch out of their shifts,” he stated, “[when] they go on their breaks, or they go on their lunch. Any time that we’ll be up in direction of the entrance.” 

Amazon has been recognized to submit signage meant to discourage unionization at different services. As Vice reported in March, staff at JFK8 in Staten Island, New York have been handled to an array of posters with circumspect slogans like “Is union life for me?” and “Will the [Amazon Labor Union]’s voice exchange mine?” The signage at ALB1 seems to symbolize essentially the most forceful tack the corporate has taken in expressing its disdain for an organized workforce. The corporate additionally has a monitor document of breaking labor legal guidelines and irritating organizing efforts: firing or in any other case retaliating towards staff, stopping staff from handing out pamphlets, and interfering with a union election. Behind closed doorways, the corporate additionally deliberate a smear marketing campaign towards a distinguished organizer. 

We have requested each Amazon and the Nationwide Labor Relations Board for touch upon the legality of this signage and can replace our story if obtain a response. 

Employees at ALB1 have been pushing to type a union since not less than Could. It is not but clear if the organizing efforts are pointed towards becoming a member of Amazon Labor Union, the grassroots group that efficiently voted to unionize one of many Staten Island services in April. That stated, based mostly on the brand new signage, administration at this success heart seems to contemplate the group its major menace. Almost the entire indicators particularly reference ALU, which the corporate calls “untested and unproven.” One other even suggests becoming a member of ALU would contain giving up some measure of non-public privateness, although it isn’t clear in what means. We have requested ALU for remark as effectively and can replace this story if we hear again from the group.