Amazon Labor Union

Amazon Labor Union
Name	Amazon Labor Union
Founded	2021
Location	Staten Island, New York City
Key people	Chris Smalls, Derrick Palmer
Focus	Labor rights

Amazon Labor Union. The Amazon Labor Union is an independent labor union formed by and for workers at the e-commerce and technology giant Amazon. Established in 2021, it achieved a historic victory in April 2022 by becoming the first union to successfully organize an Amazon warehouse in the United States at the JFK8 fulfillment center on Staten Island. The union's formation and campaigns represent a significant challenge to Amazon's longstanding anti-union stance and have ignited broader discussions about labor organizing in the modern logistics and technology sector.

History and formation

The union's origins are directly tied to the firing of lead organizer Chris Smalls in March 2020, after he led a walkout at the JFK8 facility to protest COVID-19 safety conditions. Smalls, along with co-founder and fellow Amazon worker Derrick Palmer, began organizing efforts later that year, formally launching the independent union in 2021. The effort was distinct from established national unions like the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which had recently lost a high-profile election in Bessemer, Alabama. The organizers leveraged grassroots tactics, social media outreach on platforms like Twitter and TikTok, and support from local politicians including New York State Senator Jessica Ramos and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Organizing efforts and campaigns

Primary organizing efforts focused intensely on the Staten Island campuses, JFK8 and the nearby LDJ5 sortation center. Campaigns involved persistent leafleting at bus stops, hosting barbecues, and establishing a solidarity fund for workers. The union filed for a National Labor Relations Board election at JFK8 in late 2021, leading to a vote in March and April 2022. Following the JFK8 victory, the union immediately filed for an election at LDJ5, though that effort failed. Subsequent campaigns targeted other facilities, including a air hub in San Bernardino, California, and warehouses in Albany, New York and Moreno Valley, California, though these have not yet resulted in certified victories.

Leadership and structure

The union is led by President Chris Smalls and Vice President Derrick Palmer, both former Amazon associates from the JFK8 facility. As an independent union, it is not affiliated with the AFL-CIO or other large labor federations, though it has received advice and support from established unions like the Teamsters and the Service Employees International Union. The leadership structure is relatively flat, emphasizing direct engagement with rank-and-file members. The union's constitution establishes a governing body elected by members, with the aim of negotiating a collective bargaining agreement.

Major strikes and actions

The union's first major action predated its formal existence: the March 2020 walkout over COVID-19 safety led by Smalls. After its formation, it organized a Black Friday protest in November 2021 outside the JFK8 facility. Following its election victory, the union has engaged in actions to pressure Amazon to begin contract negotiations, including rallies at CEO Andy Jassy's residence in Seattle and at Amazon's headquarters. In July 2024, workers at the unionized JFK8 facility staged a one-day strike over heat-related safety concerns and the company's refusal to bargain.

Challenges and legal battles

The union faces significant challenges from Amazon's aggressive anti-union posture. The company has filed numerous objections with the National Labor Relations Board seeking to overturn the JFK8 election, alleging misconduct, though the board has consistently upheld the result. A major ongoing legal battle involves Amazon's refusal to bargain in good faith, leading the NLRB to issue a formal complaint in 2023. The union also contends with high employee turnover rates common in the warehouse industry and the immense financial and legal resources of Amazon, which has hired law firms like Morgan, Lewis & Bockius to oppose organizing.

Impact and significance

The victory at JFK8 marked a watershed moment for the labor movement in the United States, proving that Amazon workers could successfully unionize despite the company's formidable opposition. It has inspired organizing drives at other Amazon facilities and within the broader tech industry, influencing campaigns at companies like Apple and Starbucks. The union's use of social media and reliance on internal worker-organizers has been studied as a new model for 21st century labor organizing. Its ongoing struggle to secure a first contract is a critical test for the viability of new unions in facing off against multinational corporations.

Category:Labor unions in the United States Category:Amazon (company) Category:Organizations based in New York City Category:2021 establishments in New York (state)