Objections to union vote

Amazon plans to file objections to the union election on Staten Island, N.Y., that resulted in the first successful U.S. organizing effort in the company’s history.

The e-commerce giant stated its plans in a legal filing with the National Labor Relations Board made public Thursday. Among other things, the company accused the Amazon Labor Union, a group of former and current employees who spearheaded the union drive, of threatening warehouse workers to vote in favor of the organizing effort. Eric Milner, an attorney representing the ALU, said the claims were “patently absurd.”

“The employees have spoken and their voices have been heard,” Milner said in a statement. “Amazon is choosing to ignore that, and instead engage in stalling tactics to avoid the inevitable — coming to the bargaining table and negotiating for a contract” on behalf of the warehouse workers on Staten Island.

Warehouse workers on Staten Island cast 2,654 votes — or about 55% — in favor of a union, giving the fledgling group enough support to pull off a victory.

Federal labor officials had said the results of the count won’t be verified until they process any objections — originally due by Friday — that both parties may file. Amazon requested a two-week extension, which the labor board has granted. It now has until April 22 to back up its claims.

The company had initially signaled it planned to challenge the election results based on a lawsuit filed in March by the NLRB, which sought to force Amazon to reinstate a fired employee who was involved in the union drive. In the NLRB filing, Amazon said it was also objecting to the labor agency’s conduct “before and during the polling,” that the company says interfered with the election. meeting in March. Apple shareholders voted in favor of a civil rights audit over the Cupertino company’s objections.

McDonald’s annual meeting hasn’t yet been scheduled but is generally held in May.

In its proposal, SOC noted more than 50 complaints and lawsuits alleging sexual harassment at the company’s restaurants over the past six years. It also said multiple lawsuits against the company have been filed by Black franchisees and executives accusing the company of discrimination.

SOC also faulted the company for reporting diversity only for its company-owned U.S. stores, even though 95% of its stores are owned and operated by franchisees.

“We urge McDonald’s to assess its behavior through a civil rights lens to obtain a complete picture of how it contributes to social and economic inequality,” SOC wrote in the proxy statement.