The Amazon Labor Union (ALU), known for its groundbreaking victory at the JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island, New York, has significantly amplified its power by joining forces with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT). In a resounding endorsement of this strategic alliance, ALU members voted overwhelmingly – with a near-unanimous 98.3 percent approval – to affiliate with the 1.3 million-member strong Teamsters. This partnership marks a pivotal moment for labor organizing within Amazon and the broader fight for workers’ rights in the face of corporate giants.
Chris Smalls, president of the Amazon Labor Union, speaks at a podium with the Teamsters logo in the background, signifying the partnership between the ALU and Teamsters.
This labor affiliation introduces substantial resources and renewed vigor to Amazon workers as they push for nationwide organization and demand a fair contract from the trillion-dollar corporation. The newly chartered ALU-IBT Local 1 will serve as the home for the approximately 5,500 workers at the JFK8 Amazon warehouse in Staten Island. Crucially, its jurisdiction will extend across all five boroughs of New York City, signaling a concentrated effort to organize Amazon facilities throughout the metropolitan area.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “Workers at Amazon—in the warehouses or behind the wheel—have proven they have the strength, unity, and determination to take on the greediest employer on the planet, and win.” He underscored the Teamsters’ commitment to leveraging their experience and resources to support the ALU in securing better working conditions, mirroring the standards set in their agreement with UPS, which protects 340,000 workers. O’Brien firmly declared, “As long as Amazon exploits and abuses workers, this corporate bully will have to answer to the Teamsters and ALU, standing together.”
Echoing this sentiment, ALU President Chris Smalls expressed pride in his members’ decision, remarking, “On behalf of the Amazon Labor Union, I’m proud of our members choosing a path to victory. We’re now stronger than ever before.” Smalls highlighted the transformative impact of the Teamsters’ backing, noting the “tremendous worker power and the opportunities to demand better conditions for our members and, most importantly, to secure a contract at JFK8.” The alliance provides the ALU with enhanced organizational and financial muscle, crucial for sustained campaigns against Amazon’s formidable resources.
Connor Spence of the ALU Democratic Reform Caucus further emphasized the historical importance of the vote. “The ratification vote by our members is a historic moment—and it sends a powerful reminder to Amazon that we’re not giving up in our yearslong campaign for respect, better wages, and safe jobs,” Spence stated. He pointed to the chartering of an “autonomous local union” as the start of “a new chapter for so many working people and for this industry,” suggesting the partnership could inspire broader labor movements within the logistics and e-commerce sectors.
The original victory at JFK8 was hard-won, achieved despite Amazon’s aggressive union-busting tactics. These tactics included saturating warehouses with managers to pressure workers against unionizing, intimidating workers overseeing ballot boxes, and even involving law enforcement when workers attempted to inform colleagues of their rights. The resilience of the ALU workers in the face of such opposition underscores their determination and the critical need for robust union representation.
ALU-IBT Local 1 will be the first affiliate fully established under the Teamsters Constitution, granting its members access to the comprehensive resources of the International Union, the Teamsters Amazon Division, and Teamsters Joint Council 16 in New York. This infrastructure promises sustained support for organizing efforts and contract negotiations.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, established in 1903, represents 1.3 million workers across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. This partnership between the ALU and the Teamsters represents a significant escalation in the fight for fair labor practices at Amazon and sets a powerful precedent for future worker organizing efforts in the face of corporate power.
