Works Councils at Amazon: A Contested "Voice" in the Workplace

Research on Amazon has hitherto focused primarily on strikes and the frozen conflict with trade unions such as ver.di. This session shifts the perspective to workplace co-determination. It examines the proposition that, under conditions of digitized work organization and limited collective bargaining power, works councils are gaining in significance because they effectively influence day-to-day working conditions. Drawing on case studies from the "Worker Voice @ Amazon" project, the presentation analyzes both successful and conflict-laden forms of works council activity. It portrays works councils as playing a central part in democratic participation within the workplace.