Amazon Battles U.S. Labor Board in High-Stakes Legal Showdown

Amazon has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging illegal interference in a union election at a New York City warehouse and claiming the agency's structure violates the U.S. Constitution. Other companies, including SpaceX and Starbucks, have made similar claims. The lawsuit aims to block NLRB from deciding a case that could force Amazon to negotiate with the union.

Amazon.com launched a legal offensive on Thursday, suing the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for what it claims is illegal interference in a union election at a Staten Island warehouse. The lawsuit, filed in San Antonio federal court, argues the agency's structure is unconstitutional.

Amazon's legal action seeks to prevent the NLRB from making a ruling that could compel the company to negotiate with a union that won a 2022 election at the JFK8 warehouse. The board recently upheld the election results, dismissing Amazon's allegations of employee demonstrations and biased oversight.

The lawsuit mirrors actions by nearly 20 other companies, including SpaceX and Starbucks, against the NLRB. Amazon also contends that the board's internal enforcement procedures violate the constitutional separation of powers and the right to a jury trial.

(With inputs from agencies.)