Amazon Ordered to Stop Retaliations Against Organizers by Federal Judge

Last Friday, a federal judge demanded that Amazon stops firing employees for engaging in workplace activism. According to Fox Business, the judge issued a “mixed ruling that also hands a loss to the federal labor agency that sued the company earlier this year.” 

The order was the result of a court case brought by the National Labor Relations Board on behalf of Gerald Bryson. The board sued Amazon in March seeking the reinstatement of Bryson who was fired for his involvement in organizing a company warehouse, per Fox Business. The agency argued the termination of Bryson was “unlawful” and that not reinstating him would discourage workers from protecting their labor rights under federal law. 

Bryson was fired in April 2020 during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic after participating in protests advocating for better working conditions. He got into an altercation with another employee at a protest, while off the job. Amazon investigated the incident and decided the reason for Bryson’s termination was for violating the company’s vulgar-language policy, not connected to organizing activities.  

Ultimately, U.S. District Judge Diane Gujarati denied the request to reinstate Bryson. However, she did rule “there was “reasonable cause” to believe the e-commerce giant committed an unfair labor practice by firing Bryson. She issued a cease-and-desist order directing the Seattle-based company to not retaliate against employees involved in workplace activism,” Fox Business reported. 

Bryson being fired before the union was formed played a role in the decision to not reinstate him, Gujarati noted in her ruling. 

Amazon has been ordered by Gujarati to post copies of the court order at the Staten Island facility as well as provide electronic copies to all employees in addition to holding a meeting where the court order will be read aloud.