The latest attempt to unionize an Amazon warehouse in Garner, North Carolina, has ended in defeat. Workers at the RDU1 facility voted against forming a union, with 2,447 ballots cast in opposition and 829 in favor. Additionally, 77 ballots were challenged, though they were not enough to change the outcome. While this result is a setback for labor organizers, it underscores the ongoing efforts of employees advocating for improved working conditions at one of the world’s largest companies.

Inside the Union Campaign

The union drive at RDU1 was led by Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment, or CAUSE, a worker-led group that had been campaigning for three years. The group, founded by Amazon employees Mary Hill and Rev. Ryan Brown, sought to secure better wages and working conditions, including a proposed hourly wage increase from $18.50 to $30.

Despite the defeat, Brown remained steadfast in the movement, stating that the fight for fair wages and workplace dignity would continue. CAUSE has accused Amazon of engaging in unfair labor practices, alleging that the company used intimidation tactics to discourage workers from voting in favor of a union.

Amazon’s Position on Unionization

Amazon has consistently opposed unionization efforts, and before the vote, the company took steps to dissuade employees from supporting the initiative. According to CAUSE, Amazon used internal communication platforms, warehouse posters, and other methods to spread an anti-union message.

Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards, however, denied these allegations, stating that the company respects employees’ choices and did not interfere in the election. While Amazon has faced multiple unionization efforts, only two of its U.S. facilities have successfully unionized—a warehouse in Staten Island in April 2022 and a Whole Foods location in Philadelphia in January 2025.

The Broader Labor Movement

This vote in North Carolina comes amid increasing public support for unions, with recent Gallup polling showing that 67 percent of Americans favor organized labor. Nonetheless, private-sector union representation remains low, standing at just 5.9 percent in 2024. North Carolina, where the election took place, has the lowest union membership rate in the country at 2.4 percent.

Despite these challenges, labor organizations continue their push for unionization at large corporations like Amazon. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has supported Amazon workers in their unionization efforts, organizing demonstrations, including a coordinated strike at nine Amazon facilities in December 2024. Meanwhile, CAUSE remains committed to advocating for better wages and workplace protections at RDU1, emphasizing the financial difficulties that many workers face, including food and housing insecurity.

What Lies Ahead for Amazon Workers

Although this vote did not produce the outcome that labor organizers had hoped for, the push for improved workplace conditions at Amazon remains ongoing. The National Labor Relations Board is expected to certify the results, but efforts to organize at RDU1 are not over. Labor movements are exploring alternative strategies, including filing labor complaints and leveraging public pressure to advocate for employee rights.

For now, Amazon workers at the RDU1 facility will continue without a union, but the broader conversation about labor rights and fair pay at the company is far from finished. As labor groups persist in their efforts, Amazon will likely face continued challenges from workers advocating for better conditions and higher wages.