Workers at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse have narrowly rejected a move to unionise after a vote this week.

A historic ballot has failed to recognise union representation at the US retail giant’s Midlands warehouse ops. In what would have been a first in the UK, an ever-so-narrow 50.5% of the workers voted to refuse the proposal for the GMB union to represent them, reports The Guardian.

Amazon said of the decision: “We want to thank everyone who voted in this ballot. Across Amazon, we place enormous value on engaging directly with our employees and having daily conversations with them. It’s an essential part of our work culture. We value that direct relationship and so do our employees.

“This is why we’ve always worked hard to listen to them, act on their feedback, and invest heavily in great pay, benefits and skills development – all in a safe and inclusive workplace with excellent career opportunities.”

However, TUC general secretary, Paul Nowak, said: “Amazon has thrown everything at trying to stop workers from having an independent voice at work. This is not the end. Our movement will regroup and will continue to shine a light on bad employers.”

And Stuart Richards, a GMB senior organiser, said the union would consider a legal challenge. “From day one Amazon have been relentless in their attacks on their own workforce. We’ve seen workers pressured into attending six hours of anti-union seminars on top of the fortune spent by Amazon bosses to scare workers,” he added.

Workers were granted the right in April to hold a legally binding vote by the independent Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) after Amazon rejected a request for voluntary recognition.

Under current rules, a union cannot reapply for recognition for the same group of workers for three years after losing a ballot.