Amazon Exec Dave Clark Pushed USPS to Install Mailbox Now at Center of Union Election Controversy

Amazon executive Dave Clark personally pushed for a USPS mailbox to be installed outside the Bessemer Alabama warehouse thats now at the center of a historic union election. And yeah that looks really bad.

The mailbox in question sits right outside the warehouse entrance. Workers can drop their union ballots there without leaving the premises. Sounds convenient right? Except union organizers say its actually a form of intimidation. Having to vote under Amazons watchful eye even symbolically isnt exactly a secret ballot.

Clark who runs Amazons worldwide consumer operations reportedly made the request to USPS directly. The Washington Post first reported on emails showing Amazon pushed for the installation despite USPS initially declining.

The Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union filed objections with the National Labor Relations Board arguing the mailbox creates the impression that Amazon is monitoring the vote. Whether that argument holds up legally is another question but the optics are terrible.

Amazon has faced increasing scrutiny over its labor practices and this doesnt help their case.

The company says they wanted to make voting more convenient for workers. Which might even be true but when youre fighting tooth and nail against unionization every move gets interpreted through that lens.

Some 5800 workers at the Bessemer facility are voting on whether to join RWDSU. Its the biggest union push Amazon has faced in the US and the company is clearly worried.

The vote count is expected soon and whatever happens this mailbox thing is going to be cited in the post-election legal battles.

Election controversy March 2021