The Blubber

Amazon.com Inc. is facing allegations of engaging in illegal activities related to employee unionization efforts. According to a complaint filed by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Amazon unlawfully called the police on its employees, imposed restrictions on discussions about organizing, and terminated an activist in the lead-up to a unionization vote that took place last year.

The NLRB's regional director accused Amazon of repeatedly violating federal law during the spring, summer, and fall of 2022 at a warehouse located near Albany, New York. The complaint asserts that Amazon interfered with employees' rights as guaranteed by federal law and engaged in actions that restrained and coerced employees.

The complaint details several allegations, including Amazon's prohibition of discussions about the union during work hours while allowing conversations on non-work-related subjects. The company is also accused of holding anti-union meetings that were either mandatory or effectively mandatory. Additionally, Amazon allegedly enforced a policy that prevented employees from being on the property before or after their shifts to discourage union organizing, selectively targeting union activists.

Furthermore, the complaint states that Amazon terminated an employee in August for their support of the union and participation in collective actions, purportedly as a means to discourage other employees from engaging in similar activities.

This complaint follows a previous case in which a federal judge ordered Amazon to cease retaliating against employees for their workplace activism in November of the previous year.