The GMB Union has lost its bid for union recognition at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse.
It followed efforts to secure collective bargaining rights for pay and working conditions.
The vote saw 49.5 percent of staff members in favor of union recognition, while 50.5 percent voted against it, falling short by 29 votes.
Had the workers voted for recognition, the GMB would have gained the right to represent them in negotiations with Amazon over pay, hours, and holidays.
The push for union recognition began after Amazon offered a pay rise of 35p to 50p per hour in 2022.
It prompted GMB’s involvement and subsequent strikes at the warehouse.
Stuart Richards, a senior organiser for GMB, said: “From day one Amazon have been relentless in their attacks on their own workforce.
“We’ve seen workers pressured into attending six hours of anti-union seminars on top of the fortune spent by Amazon bosses to scare workers.”
Need Career Advice? Get employment skills advice at all levels of your career
An Amazon spokesperson said: “We want to thank everyone who voted in this ballot.
“Across Amazon, we place enormous value on engaging directly with our employees and having daily conversations with them.
“It’s an essential part of our work culture.
“We value that direct relationship and so do our employees.
“This is why we’ve always worked hard to listen to them, act on their feedback, and invest heavily in great pay, benefits and skills development – all in a safe and inclusive workplace with excellent career opportunities.
“We look forward to continuing on that path with our team in Coventry.”
