Compare And Contrast: Merck NLRB Charge, At West Point: Resolved In 17 Elapsed Days... Vs. Amazon's Endless Foot-Dragging -- On The Now Inevitable.

First, a caveat: these are not quite "apples to apples" comparisons, since USW Local 10-86 has been the recognized union at Merck's West Point facility for decades upon decades -- so both sides have a long and largely peaceful labor history to look back on -- and much skin in the game, on both sides -- to keep it that way. But it is fascinating that a charge of violating the super-seniority rules, brought by a union worker. . . was resolved, start to finish, between the company, the union -- and the worker. . . in only 17 days.

There is a lesson here, for Amazon (one Merck has now learned -- over decades, as we've reported): make peace quickly and quietly -- for in the longer run, a small matter. . . can become a bonfire. . . if left unattended, or treated as not worthy of management attention. [Significantly, it is one of only two unionized facilities, in all of Merck's US holdings. An additional lesson, there -- for Mr. Bezos.] Note the dates, running from last to first:

. . .08/17/2022 Letter Approving Withdrawal Request by NLRB - GC

08/01/2022 Initial Letter to Employer in C Case by NLRB - GC

08/01/2022 Initial Letter to Charging Party by NLRB - GC

08/01/2022 Initial Letter to Charged Party by NLRB - GC

08/01/2022 Signed Charge. . . by Charging Party. . . .

Yes -- I am saying that Mr. Bezos, as still the largest single shareholder of Amazon (by far) should tell his board, and the executives. . . it is past time to make peace: to recognize JFK8's right to be represented by Mr. Small's labor union, called ALU. To bargain fairly, and accept the outcome of all elections the other facilities hold. By my count there are over 50 pending complaints at the NLRB now, about Amazon's labor practices.

[I'll note in passing that Apple just lost a second union vote, this time in Oklahoma City. But it is trying to make peace before more votes are held. Meanwhile Amazon faces at least four votes in the coming weeks, on top of all else.]

See also, the recent experiences at Google and Starbucks, as well. The object lesson, on this quiet Sunday morning, over hot coffee and buttery, warmed poticia?

To run this particular set of businesses (like having to trust your employees to make pure and perfect pharmaceutical inputs, for life saving medicines, as one cannot watch every employee 24/7), one of hard-working individual drivers. . . operating literally thousands of trucks -- doing the heavy lifting -- delivering all over a metro- area -- with little real time "eyes on" supervision. . . one must come to rely on the good will of those employees, and trust their genuine desire to do the best job they can. . . and that comes. . . only by respecting them. Something that has been in very short supply at Amazon for at least six long years. Onward -- live and learn -- or get. . . unionized. [The ship has sailed on avoiding a union now, because Bezos didn't take his workers seriously. . . for a decade.] Out.

नमस्ते