Amazon Labor Union Affiliates with Teamsters, Seeks to Have “More Resources and Strength” in Numbers

By Moon Harper

Jun 05, 2024 01:05 AM EDT

Teamsters Union — (Photo : UNSPLASH/Manny Becerra)

Amazon Labor Union, the first workers' group to organize at a US warehouse, has moved to join the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The company announced on Tuesday that this could assist in pushing Amazon.com Inc. to negotiate a contract with workers at a New York City warehouse.

Amazon's Labor Union

Established in 2021 as a grassroots organization of present and past employees, the ALU garnered national recognition two years ago by securing a groundbreaking union election victory at JFK8, a facility in Staten Island, New York.

The ALU initially avoided joining prominent labor unions and opted to be independent.

In 2022, the ALU achieved a significant win by organizing thousands of workers at an Amazon facility in Staten Island. However, the union faced setbacks with two subsequent lost elections and internal conflicts between leader Chris Smalls and other ALU officials, which also halted efforts to engage Amazon in negotiations.

Last year, a faction of former members sued the union for alleged violations of its constitution and petitioned a Brooklyn court to mandate an election for union officers.

Amazon's Affiliation with The Teamsters

Partnering with the Teamsters, one of the nation's largest labor unions could give the ALU more leverage to initiate talks with Amazon. Established in 1903, the Teamsters have been actively working to organize Amazon warehouse and delivery employees and established an Amazon division dedicated to assisting and financing workers at the company in their efforts to unionize in 2021.

In a post on X, the Teamsters announced on Tuesday that the union's board unanimously approved the affiliation. However, as Smalls stated in a text message, the affiliation agreement remains tentative until members of both the ALU and the Teamsters vote to ratify it.

The decision has sparked resistance from the ALU Democratic Reform Caucus, the same group that filed a lawsuit against the ALU last year. Arthur Schwartz, an attorney for the caucus, expressed uncertainty about how the ALU will conduct a membership vote to approve the Teamsters affiliation, given that it currently lacks a list of employees, let alone a membership roster.

In March, ALU members voted to conduct an election for new union officers. Smalls has stated that he does not intend to run for reelection as ALU president. According to Schwartz, the election is anticipated to take place in July, held in person outside of JFK8.

The Teamsters and an Amazon spokesperson both declined to provide further comments.

Amazon-Teamsters Agreement

Smalls stated that he and 15 other ALU officials reached an agreement in Washington with Teamsters President Sean O'Brien and his team. The ALU's 8,300 members will need to vote on the proposed affiliation, which is expected to occur in the coming weeks.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Smalls expressed that they reached an agreement to take on Amazon together, emphasizing the importance of having more resources and strength in numbers for their cause.