Amazon workers have voted against a recognition deal as union considers ‘legal challenge’

Staff voted by a narrow majority of 50.5% to reject a vote that would have seen the GMB union represent them and give workers the right to collectively bargain over issues such as pay and conditions. Those who wanted recognition fell short by just 29 votes.

GMB previously accused Amazon of putting on “anti-union” seminars to discourage workers from voting but the retail giant refuted this.

Coventry warehouse workers have gone on strike several times in the last 18 months and have been in a battle for recognition that has lasted more than a year.

The Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) granted workers the right to hold the recognition ballot after a campaign by GMB. Amazon had rejected a request for voluntary recognition.

If the majority of staff had voted for recognition it would have been the first time Amazon workers would have won union recognition outside the US.

GMB senior organiser Stuart Richards said: “From day one, Amazon has 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.

“This kind of union-busting has no place in 21st-century Britain. It’s clear Amazon cannot be trusted to play by the rules that all other companies in the UK are expected to follow.

“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.”

An Amazon spokesperson said: “We want to thank everyone who voted in this ballot. Across Amazon, we place enormous value on engaging directly with our employees and having daily conversations with them. It’s an essential part of our work culture. We value that direct relationship and so do our employees.

“This is why we’ve always worked hard to listen to them, act on their feedback, and invest heavily in great pay, benefits and skills development – all in a safe and inclusive workplace with excellent career opportunities. We look forward to continuing on that path with our team in Coventry.”