7:33 pm - February 23, 2025
In a state with the lowest union membership rates in the country, a unlikely labor movement is taking root at an Amazon facility in North Carolina. Workers at the Garner warehouse are advocating for the Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment (CAUSE) union, marking the second Amazon site in the U.S. to seek union representation after a 2022 victory at a Staten Island, New York, facility. Despite Amazon’s reputation as a company hostile to unions, the push for collective organizing is gaining momentum, driven by workers frustrated with wages and working conditions.
Amazon, the second-largest private employer in the U.S., has faced growing opposition from unions nationwide. Workers in the Raleigh area argue that the company’s $18.50 starting wage and $23.80 top pay are insufficient to cover the cost of living, calling for a_raise of $30 per hour. CAUSE leaders, including fired organizer Ryan Brown, insist that their independent union_status is an advantage, as it mirrors the skepticism towards outsiders that is woven into the region’s culture. However, Amazon denies any wrongdoing, attributing Brown’s termination to misconduct, not his union activities.
The company’s aggressive stance on unions is evident in its ongoing legal battles, including a contentious court case over the 2021 union victory at the Bessemer, Alabama, facility. Amazon has already rejected overtures from the Teamsters union and the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), which members-affiliated with last year. While the company claims to offer competitive pay and benefits, critics argue that its wealth and wage policies systemicize inequality, failing to recognize workers as anything but replaceable units.
The NLRB’s upcoming six-day vote in Garner will determine whether the union can achieve its goals. If successful, CAUSE suggests the victory could pave the way for similar movements at other Amazon facilities. But history shows Amazon’s willingness to prolong union disputes, with ongoing legal challenges delaying the implementation of contracts at other sites. Despite the hurdles, union leaders remain steadfast, drawing parallels to the civil rights movement to highlight the endurance required for justice.
Meanwhile, labor struggles extend beyond Amazon to its subsidiaries, such as Whole Foods, where workers recently secured the first union victory at an Amazon-owned grocery chain. Addendately, the Teamsters union has announced a six-day strike before Christmas, highlighting the broader challenges faced by unionized workers in the Amazon ecosystem. While Amazon claims to prioritize worker safety and benefits, critics argue that the company’s wealth-creating power roadside human workers_dignity.
Ultimately, the fight for unionization at Amazon in North Carolina is not just about better wages and working conditions—it’s about advocating for humanity in a system that often dehumanizes workers. CAUSE organizers emphasize the need for Amazon to recognize the worth of its employees, rather than treating them as disposable cogs in a massive profit machine. For these workers, the struggle is personal, a reflection of a broader fight for fairness in an increasingly unequal world.