- Members of the Amazon Labor Union voted to affiliate with the Teamsters, the groups said in a joint statement.
- The ALU gained national attention in 2022 after it won a historic election at one of Amazon’s warehouses in Staten Island, New York.
OUR TAKE
This decision will not only affect Amazon workers, but will have far-reaching consequences across the industry. As one of the world’s largest e-commerce and retail platforms, Amazon’s labor policies and working conditions have been controversial. The solidarity of workers and their union membership are expected to lead to a fairer and healthier working environment and improved wages and benefits.
–Revel Cheng, BTW reporter
Members of the Amazon union have voted to join the Teamsters.
What happened
Members of the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), the first group of company workers to organize at a U.S. warehouse, have voted to affiliate with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the groups said in a joint statement on Tuesday.
The Teamsters is one of the largest labor unions in the U.S., and it has long sought to organize Amazon delivery and warehouse workers. The union launched an Amazon division in 2021 to support and fund workers at the company in their unionization efforts.
Roughly 98% of ALU members voted in favor of joining up with the Teamsters, the groups said. The ALU and the Teamsters announced earlier this month that they were taking steps to affiliate, saying the last step was a vote from rank-and-file ALU members to ratify the move.
The news could pressure Amazon to come to the bargaining table with the ALU, a union based in New York, which is still trying to negotiate with the company.
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Why it’s important
As part of the agreement announced Tuesday, the newly formed local chapter, known as ALU-International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1, will also have the right to organize Amazon warehouse workers “across New York’s five boroughs,” the groups said in a joint statement.
“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,” Sean O’Brien, general president of the Teamsters, said in a statement.
This decision marks an important milestone in the rallying of Amazon workers to improve their working conditions and welfare. Joining Teamsters will provide them with greater collective bargaining power and protection to ensure that their rights and interests are fully respected and protected. As the unionization movement grows, it is expected that labor relations at Amazon and other similar businesses will attract more attention and discussion.
