In a public defeat for organized labor, a sizable majority of Amazon warehouse employees voted against unionization in Bessemer, Ala. in an election overseen by federal authorities Friday. But the process put a harsh spotlight on labor practices in the tech giant's fulfillment centers, and the company's anti-union tactics. In the larger scheme of things, was this really a win for Amazon? On this episode GeekWire reporter Mike Lewis and e-commerce consultant Jason Boyce talk with Margaret O’Mara, a historian, author and University of Washington professor who specializes in the history of tech and politics.

In a public defeat for organized labor, a sizable majority of Amazon warehouse employees voted against unionization in Bessemer, Ala. in an election overseen by federal authorities Friday. But the process put a harsh spotlight on labor practices in the tech giant's fulfillment centers, and the company's anti-union tactics. In the larger scheme of things, was this really a win for Amazon? On this episode GeekWire reporter Mike Lewis and e-commerce consultant Jason Boyce talk with Margaret O&rsquo;Mara, a historian, author and University of Washington professor who specializes in the history of tech and politics.

Amazon built an empire obsessing about its customers. Where does that leave its partners, competitors, communities, workers, and the world? Coming soon from GeekWire: Day 2, a new podcast about Amazon and the future of everything else. In collaboration with Jason Boyce of Avenue7Media, author of "The Amazon Jungle."

Amazon built an empire obsessing about its customers. Where does that leave its partners, competitors, communities, workers, and the world? Coming soon from GeekWire: Day 2, a new podcast about Amazon and the future of everything else. In collaboration with Jason Boyce of Avenue7Media, author of "The Amazon Jungle."

Day 2: Everything Amazon

Amazon built an empire obsessing about its customers. Where does that leave its partners, competitors, communities, workers and the world? Coming soon from GeekWire: Day 2, a new podcast about Amazon and the future of everything else. In collaboration with Jason Boyce of Avenue7Media, author of "The Amazon Jungle."

Amazon built an empire obsessing about its customers. Where does that leave its partners, competitors, communities, workers and the world? Coming soon from GeekWire: Day 2, a new podcast about Amazon and the future of everything else. In collaboration with Jason Boyce of Avenue7Media, author of "The Amazon Jungle."

Advertisement