LONDON, June 19 (Reuters) -

Amazon ( AMZN ) workers at a warehouse in Britain moved closer to

possibly gaining union recognition as a ballot process began,

where a 'yes' vote would force the U.S. firm to negotiate labour

terms with a union for the first time outside the United States.

The GMB union said on Wednesday over 3,000 Amazon ( AMZN )

workers at the Coventry, central England, site, would take part

in a month-long process, which includes a vote overseen by the

Central Arbitration Committee, an independent body with

statutory powers.

The Coventry workers have been involved in a dispute over

pay and union recognition for over a year, and have carried out

numerous strikes.

"Coventry Amazon ( AMZN ) workers have rejected Amazon's ( AMZN ) attempts to

smash their union. Instead, they've stood up to be counted and

demanded the chance to vote on union recognition," said Amanda

Gearing, senior organiser for the GMB.

The retail and technology giant has historically opposed

unionisation, but in 2022, workers at one of its New York

warehouses forced the company to recognise a trade union in the

U.S. for the first time.

If the Coventry workers vote to support union recognition,

Amazon ( AMZN ) would be required to negotiate on terms, pay and

conditions.

The GMB said workplace meetings on the ballot would begin

from Wednesday, with voting from July 8. The result will be

announced after July 15.

Amazon's ( AMZN ) preference has been to resolve issues with

employees directly rather than through unions.

"Our employees have the choice of whether or not to join a

union. They always have," an Amazon ( AMZN ) spokesperson said.

"Across Amazon ( AMZN ), we place enormous value on having daily

conversations and engagement with our employees. It's a strong

part of our work culture. We value that direct relationship and

so do our employees."

Amazon ( AMZN ) employs about 75,000 in the UK, making it one of the

country's top ten private sector employers.

Britain's opposition Labour Party, which according to

opinion polls is likely to win the July 4 election and end 14

years of Conservative rule, has promised to give workers more

rights and unions more power.