Members of an Amazon Labor Union in New York City have voted to join forces with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in an effort to better represent the needs of workers in the world's fifth biggest company. A full 98.3 percent of the 5,500 workers employed at the JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island cast their ballots in favor of the merger.
The move came following years of failure on Amazon's part to recognize unions organized by warehouse members, of which there had been many. While other Amazon Labor Unions across the country had partnered with their local Teamsters, this marked the first time such a partnership was struck under the Teamsters Constitution.
"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," said Teamsters General President Sean M O'Brien. "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 ... As long as Amazon exploits and abuses workers, this corporate bully will have to answer to the Teamsters and ALU, standing together."
Amazon Labor Union President Chris Smalls said he was "proud" of members' decision, noting that, "having the support of 1.3 million Teamsters to take on Amazon gives us tremendous worker power and the opportunities to demand better conditions for our members and, most importantly, to secure a contract at JFK8."
"The ratification vote by our members is a historic moment," Amazon Labor Union Democratic Reform Caucus' Connor Spence added, "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." He declared that "affiliating with the Teamsters and chartering a strong, autonomous local union signals a new chapter for so many working people and for this industry," and that, "Amazon workers nationwide are going to win."
The Teamsters have long represented UPS employees, and according to Amazon Teamsters, despite the fact that Amazon makes 4.5 times more profit per year than UPS, Amazon drivers make 50 percent less than their unionized counterparts working in warehouses and driving the famous brown trucks.
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