Amazon Labor Union Proposes Teamsters Affiliation, Pending Vote
The Amazon Labor Union (ALU) has proposed an affiliation with the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the largest and most diverse unions in the country, boasting 1.3
million members. This move aims to enhance the ALU’s negotiation leverage against
Amazon.com Inc. over worker contracts at a New York City warehouse. In 2022, the ALU
achieved a significant milestone by successfully organizing workers at an Amazon warehouse in
Staten Island, marking the first time employees at the company had formed a union. Although
this victory was a pivotal moment for labor advocacy within the historically non-union tech
giant, it also faced resistance at other warehouses. Chris Smalls, a prominent ALU leader, along
with 15 other officials have drafted a preliminary agreement with Teamsters President Sean
O’Brien in Washington. The proposed partnership awaits approval from the ALU’s 8,300
members, with a vote expected in the coming weeks.
See "Amazon Labor Union Proposes Teamsters Affiliation, Pending Vote", Spencer Soper, Bloomberg, June 5, 2024