Amazon’s Whole Foods has requested that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) annul the outcome of a recent union election where employees voted to establish collective bargaining.
In a submission to the NLRB, Whole Foods Market’s legal representatives contended that the union’s actions during last week’s election at a Philadelphia location undermined the process. They claimed that the union promised staff a wage hike of 30% for their support and facilitated transportation for them on voting day.
Moreover, Whole Foods accused the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which backed the workers’ bid for unionizing through a local chapter, of pressuring employees who were in favor of Whole Foods. However, the company did not elaborate on its accusations, which the union firmly denies.
During the election, the pro-union employees succeeded, with around 57% of the 130 participating staff members voting for the union. The election results still require confirmation from a regional NLRB director. Whole Foods contends that this verification cannot legally occur as the agency is currently short one board member in Washington due to the recent dismissal of Gynne A. Wilcox by the previous Trump administration.
The UFCW Local 1776 union, which achieved the labor gain, described Whole Foods’ allegations as unfounded. They suggested that the company’s objections were merely a tactic to stall negotiations.
“We anticipated Whole Foods would attempt to delay this process,” stated Wendell Young IV, president of the local union. “Amazon has a well-known record of using frivolous claims to diminish workers’ rights to representation, and this is just another instance.”
In its challenge to the election, Whole Foods also criticized the NLRB for allegedly biasing the election by prohibiting the company from explaining its stance on unionization during mandatory meetings at work.
A ruling from the NLRB last November deemed these meetings, often referred to as captive audience meetings, unlawful because they required employees to attend sessions they might prefer to skip. Companies commonly use such gatherings to discourage unionization efforts.
While employers can still discuss unions with their staff, the NLRB ruled that attendance for such meetings should be optional and without negative consequences for those who do not attend.
This election in Philadelphia marked a historic milestone, marking the first successful unionization effort within Amazon’s grocery sector, which includes Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh, and Amazon Go stores. Amazon, which acquired Whole Foods in 2017 for $13.7 billion, has worked to counteract organizing initiatives by its delivery drivers and warehouse personnel.
