New York City warehouse employees represented by the Amazon Labor Union (ALU) have voted overwhelmingly to affiliate themselves with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The decision, with a resounding 98.3% approval from ALU members, aims to strengthen their position in negotiations with Amazon for a union contract.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien expressed confidence in the alliance, stating, “Together, with hard work, courage, and conviction, the Teamsters and ALU will fight fearlessly to ensure Amazon workers secure the good jobs and safe working conditions they deserve in a union contract.”
The affiliation establishes the ALU as an “autonomous” local union under the Teamsters, granting it equal rights and responsibilities as any other chapter. This move will empower approximately 5,500 Amazon warehouse workers in Staten Island, extending its jurisdiction to cover Amazon facilities across New York City’s five boroughs. Additionally, the ALU-International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1 is expected to support broader Teamsters organizing efforts at other Amazon sites beyond its immediate scope.
ALU President Chris Smalls voiced pride in members’ choice, stating, “We’re now stronger than ever before,” reflecting on the significance of this decision for their ongoing campaign.
John Logan, a labor history professor at San Francisco State University, characterized the affiliation as crucial for the ALU’s future effectiveness, noting the challenges faced by independent unions against Amazon’s formidable opposition and resources.
Despite the ALU’s initial success in securing representation rights at the Staten Island warehouse in 2022, challenges persist in obtaining a contract amid ongoing legal disputes initiated by Amazon with the National Labor Relations Board. Internal divisions and setbacks in subsequent election attempts at other Amazon sites have also complicated the ALU’s path.
The affiliation with the Teamsters represents a strategic maneuver by both parties, positioning the Teamsters to bolster its organizing efforts at Amazon, particularly among its driving workforce, where substantial gains have yet to be realized.
As the labor landscape continues to evolve, the Teamsters’ affiliation with the ALU underscores a shift toward grassroots organizing strategies tailored to Amazon’s operational scale and resistance tactics.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, established in 1903, currently boasts 1.3 million members across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. O’Brien’s leadership since 2021 has underscored the union’s commitment to expanding its footprint at Amazon, drawing on successes like the recent collective bargaining agreement secured at UPS as a template for future negotiations.
In conclusion, the alliance between the ALU and Teamsters marks a pivotal moment in labor relations at Amazon, signaling a unified front in the pursuit of equitable working conditions and rights for all employees within the company’s expansive operations.