Amazon ordered by federal judge to stop retailing against activist employees
The National Labor Relations Board sued Amazon in March 2022 over an employee who was fired while being involved in the unionization of the company’s Staten Island warehouse. U.S. District Judge Diane Gujarati has ruled that there was a “reasonable cause” that the fired employee, Gerald Bryson, was unfairly treated due to his workplace activism. Judge Gujarati then approved a cease-and-desist order to be issued to Amazon in regard to retaliation against its employees involved in organizing efforts.
Despite her judgment, Judge Gujarati denied the reinstatement of Bryson to employment. Bryson was fired before the union was formed and the warehouse ultimately pulled off the first-ever Amazon union win at the Staten Island location, therefore making Bryson’s firing inconsequential to the unionization efforts.
Amazon’s recent decision to bring employees back to the office five days a week, starting next year, has stirred strong reactions among staff.