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Amazon Faces Union Vote at North Carolina Warehouse Amid Labor Push

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Amazon (AMZN.O) is currently facing its second workers’ union vote in just two months, as employees at a warehouse in Garner, North Carolina, decide whether to join the newly-formed Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment (CAUSE). The vote, taking place through this week, will determine if workers wish to collectively bargain with the retail giant for better wages, improved breaks, and more scheduling flexibility, among other demands. A simple majority is required for the union to be recognized.

This vote follows the successful unionization effort in January at a Whole Foods store in Philadelphia, marking the first victory for workers at the national grocery chain since its acquisition by Amazon in 2017.

Should the vote succeed, it could lead to further unionization efforts across Amazon’s U.S. warehouse network, which could increase the company’s labor and logistics costs. However, if the vote fails, it could dampen the momentum for unionization at Amazon.

Italo Medelius-Marsano, the secretary for CAUSE, emphasized the group’s push for better compensation and work conditions. The group is advocating for wages as high as $30 per hour, longer breaks, and job protections. Medelius-Marsano, who works at the shipping dock of the Garner facility, argued that Amazon could afford to pay its workers more, given its financial standing.

Amazon has strongly opposed unionization in the past, preferring to address workers’ concerns through direct communication with the company. Despite a union victory in 2022 at a Staten Island warehouse, Amazon has not yet recognized the union or entered into negotiations with workers. The company is also facing legal challenges following allegations of misconduct during union votes at its Alabama facilities.

Earlier in the month, Whole Foods sought to have the results of its recent election dismissed after the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) had been reduced to just two members following the firing of board officials during the Trump administration. Whole Foods alleged worker intimidation during the vote.

Amazon has been accused of retaliating against union activists at the Garner facility, including claims of firing workers and withholding benefits. The company, however, denies these allegations and maintains it is acting within its rights. An Amazon spokesperson pointed to the starting pay of $18.50 per hour at the Garner warehouse, which is significantly above the state’s minimum wage, and reiterated that employees should have the opportunity to voice their concerns directly with the company.

Rivian Expands Commercial Van Sales to All Fleet Sizes in U.S.

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Rivian (RIVN.O) has announced the expansion of its commercial van sales to fleets of all sizes in the United States, marking a shift from its previous exclusive agreement with Amazon (AMZN.O). This move comes more than a year after the electric vehicle maker ended its exclusivity deal with the e-commerce giant.

Known for its R1S SUVs and R1T pickup trucks, Rivian has experienced growing demand for its commercial delivery vans beyond Amazon. The company has been testing its vans with large fleets, which have helped refine the fleet management process and paved the way for broader sales. The van sales, along with the upcoming launch of Rivian’s smaller, more affordable R2 SUVs in 2026, will be crucial for the company’s growth, especially as the overall demand for EVs has softened amid rising borrowing costs.

Rivian’s move to open sales to a wider range of fleets follows the end of its exclusive deal with Amazon in late 2023. However, the company remains committed to fulfilling Amazon’s order of 100,000 vans by 2030, with Amazon currently operating 20,000 Rivian vans in its fleet. U.S. wireless carrier AT&T (T.N) was the first company to purchase Rivian vans after the exclusive deal ended, although details regarding the number of vans and financial terms were not disclosed.

The announcement follows Rivian’s resolution of component shortages that previously hindered production of its vans and other vehicles, alongside its success in cutting costs through renegotiated supplier contracts and process improvements. Rivian exceeded analysts’ expectations for fourth-quarter deliveries and is set to report its fourth-quarter financial results on February 20.

Amazon Shares Drop as Cloud Growth Misses Expectations

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Amazon’s stock fell by 4% on Friday after the company’s quarterly cloud computing revenue growth fell short of investor expectations. The disappointing results reflected a slowdown in growth at Amazon Web Services (AWS), which posted a 19% increase in revenue to $28.79 billion. This figure was slightly below the anticipated $28.87 billion. The performance echoed similar disappointments from other major tech giants, including Microsoft and Alphabet, who also saw cloud revenue growth fail to meet expectations.

The missed expectations came as cloud companies, particularly those heavily investing in AI, are under greater scrutiny. AWS’s growth rate matched that of the previous quarter, raising concerns among analysts about potential capacity constraints or other unidentified issues.

The disappointing results led to a $100 billion drop in Amazon’s market value. However, Amazon’s stock has still risen about 4% in 2025, outpacing losses seen by Microsoft and Alphabet, whose stocks have fallen by 3%. Despite this drop, Amazon’s shares continue to be favored by analysts, with 68 recommending buying the stock and no analysts advising to sell.