Amazon Reinstates Alabama Warehouse Worker and Union Leader Weeks After Her Firing
An Amazon worker and union organizer, Jennifer Bates, has been reinstated in her job after appealing her termination by the e-commerce giant earlier this month.
Amazon confirmed that Bates, who became a prominent figure in the effort to unionize an Amazon facility in Bessemer, Alabama, had been reinstated following the appeals process. Bates had received notice of her termination from Amazon in early June.
In response to Amazon’s decision to reverse her firing, Bates expressed her gratitude for the global support she received, stating, “Amazon was wrong, they tried to fire me and stifle a movement, but the movement pushed back, and I’m incredibly humbled by the global outpouring of support for my unjust termination.”
According to Amazon, Bates will be reinstated with back pay following the company’s standard procedure.
At the time of her firing, Amazon cited records indicating that Bates had failed to show up for work and did not respond or provide documentation to explain her absences.
The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), which led the unionization effort at the Bessemer facility, claimed that Bates was fired by Amazon upon her return from medical leave following work-related injuries.
During the appeals review process, Amazon acknowledged that Bates had not adequately responded to requests for additional information about her leave but recognized that the company could have been clearer about the required information.
Mary Kate Paradis, an Amazon spokesperson, stated that after a thorough review of Bates’ case, the decision was made to reinstate her.
Bates’ termination had the potential to reignite tensions between Amazon and workers who had sought to organize amid concerns over the company’s response to the pandemic and the spotlight on racial inequities in the United States.
Earlier this year, Bates testified before lawmakers about her challenging experience working at one of Amazon’s warehouses.
While Amazon workers at a New York warehouse successfully voted to form the company’s first US union last year, Amazon has refused to recognize the union or engage in negotiations.
Other attempts to unionize Amazon facilities, including one near the New York warehouse, have not been successful.
The highly anticipated union election at the Bessemer facility ended with the results too close to call due to numerous challenged ballots.
The National Labor Relations Board is currently reviewing the challenges brought against Amazon by the union, which accuses the company of illegal activities during the campaign. (Amazon has also filed its own objections to the conduct of the RWDSU.)
