Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama in the United States participated in a crucial vote over the last few weeks to decide whether to form a union or not. The warehouse's nearly 6,000 workers had until Monday to cast their vote and the counting begins on Tuesday. If the majority of the workers vote yes, this will the first time Amazon workers in the US will have unionised. This is the biggest push for a union that Amazon is facing and comes at a time when Amazon workers around the world are protesting against poor working conditions and wages. The outcome of this vote is expected to set off a ripple effect across the country. What do the workers want? The workers are primarily fighting for better pay and more break time. Amazon uses multiple metrics to track worker productivity and workers have complained about the harsh implementation of these metrics. Many workers say that they have to work 10-hours a day with only two 30-minute breaks. This does not allow enough time for water and bathroom breaks because of the repercussions it would have on productivity metrics. Workers who perform poorly in these metrics are reprimanded or fired. What happens if the majority vote yes? If the workers vote yes, they will become part of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which is leading the organising efforts for Bessemer workers. This union already represents 100,000 workers from different industries. This union will go on to negotiate a contract with…
