The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), a federal agency that investigates violations of workers' rights to unionize, is investigating Amazon's KCVG Air Hub in Hebron, Kentucky.
In a March 13 press release, Amazon Labor Union-KCVG organizers said the NLRB issued a "broad complaint" against Amazon related to possible workers’ rights violations at KCVG, setting an April 22 trial date for the multi-billion dollar company.
According to union organizers, the NLRB charged Amazon with "illegally seeking to stop the union campaign through a campaign of spying, interrogation, and harassment at KCVG."
Allegations against Amazon from KCVG employees include:
- Mandatory meetings to discourage unionization
- Failing to reappoint employees to learning ambassador positions due to union activities
- Telling employees they cannot pass out union materials
- Creating an impression of surveillance to discourage union activities
In an emailed statement to CityBeat, Amazon spokesperson Mary Kate Paradis said the allegations are unfounded.
"The allegations in this complaint are without merit. Our Solicitation Policy is lawful, and we will continue to defend our position as the legal process continues," Paradis said.
Workers at KCVG have filed dozens of complaints against Amazon since they first started unionizing in November 2022, but the company faces more than 200 open and closed unfair labor practice charges from employees nationwide."The allegations in this complaint are without merit. Our Solicitation Policy is lawful, and we will continue to defend our position as the legal process continues," Paradis said.
Background on the union effort
Employees at KCVG, Amazon's largest air hub, began union efforts in November 2022 after upper management announced there would be no peak pay for the 2022 holiday rush, but mandatory overtime would be required. Amazon’s gross profit for the 2023 fiscal year was $256.202 billion, an 18.52% increase year-over-year for the world’s largest retailer. Employees pushing for a union at KCVG are asking for a standard $30 per-hour wage, among other changes like improved health benefits, on-site translation for non-native English speakers, and more.
A press conference detailing the NLRB complaint is scheduled for March 14 at 2:30 p.m. at the CVG airplane viewing area, 1459 Donaldson Highway in Erlanger.Read the entire NLRB complaint here:
A press conference detailing the NLRB complaint is scheduled for March 14 at 2:30 p.m. at the CVG airplane viewing area, 1459 Donaldson Highway in Erlanger.
