A federal labor judge has ordered a third unionization vote for Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama, after previous elections were marred by allegations of improper influence by Amazon. The National Labor Relations Board found that Amazon illegally confiscated union materials, among other violations. Both Amazon and the union are challenging parts of the ruling, delaying the new vote. This comes amid ongoing legal battles over unionization efforts at other Amazon facilities, including a historic union victory in Staten Island, New York.
Kendrick Rondell O’Neal, 26, has been charged with capital murder in the shooting death of 5-year-old Brandon Jamal Nation III and the critical injury of a barber during a haircut in Bessemer. O’Neal is also charged with attempted murder and shooting into an occupied dwelling. Authorities are actively pursuing other suspects involved in the shooting.
A 13-year-old boy, Timothy Sampson, has died days after being critically injured in a domestic shooting in Bessemer, Alabama. Timothy, who would have turned 14 in three days, was described by his family as loving, caring, and funny. The shooting occurred during a domestic violence incident, and the suspect, Helvetius Hall, remains in custody on charges of first-degree assault and discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling. The community, including Timothy's school, is providing support and counseling for those affected by the tragedy.
A police chase in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, ended in a fatal crash when the driver, who was possibly impaired, refused to stop and collided with another vehicle in Bessemer. The suspect's vehicle overturned, and he was ejected, resulting in his death. The driver of the other vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is leading the investigation into the incident.
A judge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has scheduled a hearing for January 29, 2024, to determine if there will be a third election at Amazon's Bessemer fulfillment center for union representation. The hearing will address various issues between the online retailer and the Retail, Wholesale & Department Store Union (RWDSU). The previous union election in 2022 was set aside by the NLRB due to Amazon's interference, and a second election resulted in a close vote with 311 challenged ballots yet to be ruled on. Both Amazon and the union have filed objections and unfair labor practice charges. The outcome of the hearing could potentially impact the results of the second election.
More than 30 vehicles were burglarized early Tuesday in the parking lots of Amazon and FedEx distribution centers in Bessemer, Alabama. Items stolen from the targeted vehicles included cash, debit cards, credit cards, purses, guns, cell phones, and tablets. The businesses have been hit by similar incidents before, and police are working to solve the cases. The suspect or suspects in the Tuesday morning incidents are believed to have been in a light-colored Dodge Challenger.
