Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

posted by martyb on Saturday April 10 2021, @02:11PM   Printer-friendly
from the people-have-spoken dept.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/04/the-amazon-union-drive-in-alabama-appears-headed-for-defeat/

Update: A majority of workers have voted not to form a union at the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Bessemer, Alabama. The result of the NLRB's initial vote count was 1,798 votes against the union and 738 in favor. Hundreds of additional ballots were not counted because their authenticity was disputed. But the "no" side already has a majority of the 3,215 votes cast, making the issue moot.

Original story, April 8: A closely watched effort to unionize an Amazon fulfillment center in Bessemer, Alabama appears to be headed for defeat. With about half the votes counted, 1,100 workers have voted against forming a union, while only 463 voted in favor.

The National Labor Relations Board is counting the 3,215 votes that were cast by workers at the Bessemer facility. The union needs to win at least half the votes in order to become the official representative of the roughly 6,000 workers at the Bessemer facility. Counting has ended for the evening and is scheduled to resume at 8:30 am Central Time on Friday.

Also at The Washington Post, c|net, and Al Jazeera.


Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
  • (Score: 3, Interesting) by Taxi Dudinous on Saturday April 10 2021, @05:16PM (3 children)

    by Taxi Dudinous (8690) on Saturday April 10 2021, @05:16PM (#1135735)

    When Amazon made the big PR announcement about paying above market rate, they also eliminated benefits and incentive programs that cost motivated employees a significant amount of money. Thereby all but eliminating any reason to perform above the minimum level to keep the job.
    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amazon-to-cut-bonuses-for-warehouse-workers-and-stock-benefits-as-it-raises-minimum-wage-to-15/ [cbsnews.com]

    Starting Score:    1  point
    Moderation   +2  
       Interesting=1, Informative=1, Total=2
    Extra 'Interesting' Modifier   0  

    Total Score:   3  
  • (Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday April 10 2021, @08:14PM (2 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Saturday April 10 2021, @08:14PM (#1135783)
    They figured that by @gamifying” the jobs they could increase competitive behaviour among workers by more than enough to make up for the loss of motivation by dropping other programs.

    It “sort or” works - now people compete to see how little they can get away with and how many ways they can stick it to the man without getting fired. Because human nature is human nature, and people want to fuck over those who fuck over them.

    Looking for another part of runners the same make and model as I bought last year, people said “why not go online.” I explained that I’d rather create jobs locally, and wasn’t surprised that local shops selling them on special are cheaper than buying online. And not enough more expensive when not on special to deal with the hassles of ordering online and waiting a day or two for delivery.

    Plus in the store I can test competing shoes for fit and comfort, and in the end that’s worth a few bucks more.

    • (Score: 2) by MostCynical on Sunday April 11 2021, @12:38AM (1 child)

      by MostCynical (2589) on Sunday April 11 2021, @12:38AM (#1135856) Journal

      when there IS a store I can visit, I will reward them with my money..

      when there isn't... I can't.

      chicken and egg?

      How many of those local stores were driven out of business by cut-price online and cut-price national/multi-national companies?

      --
      "I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 11 2021, @03:11PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 11 2021, @03:11PM (#1136027)
        One of the effects of Amazon growing so big is that they need to keep growing. Their online market is vulnerable to competition that is more focused, and that’s what’s happening.

        Under pressure to increase profits, Amazon is giving higher priced items more visibility, and they’re just not as competitive as a result. This is the end game of de facto monopolies - prices go up, creating opportunities for competition.

        This creates opportunities for regional players to serve markets that are currently under-served. Some via their own online stores, some by opening up in abandoned stores. Because there’s always someone looking for a way to make a buck. Entrepreneurship isn’t going to go away.