Amazon Labor Union (ALU) members have voted to affiliate with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
In a joint statement, the ALU and the Teamsters announced approximately 98 percent of ALU members voted in favor of this affiliation.
The ALU and Teamsters said earlier that they were moving towards this partnership, with the final step being the vote by rank-and-file ALU members to ratify the move.
This decision could increase pressure on Amazon to negotiate with the ALU,
The union has been attempting to reach an agreement with the company.
Sean O’Brien, general president of the Teamsters, said: “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.”
The ALU made headlines two years ago after achieving a historic victory at Amazon’s JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island, New York.
The union, founded by current and former JFK8 employees, began as an independent grassroots organization.
“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”
However, it has faced challenges negotiating a contract with Amazon, which has tried to overturn the 2022 election results.
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Internal conflicts have also emerged within the ALU.
This has led to an upcoming election this summer to decide the union’s next leadership.
The Teamsters has long aimed to organize Amazon’s delivery and warehouse workers.
In 2021, the union launched an Amazon division to support and fund unionization efforts within the company.
The new local chapter will be called ALU-International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1.
It will have the authority to organize Amazon warehouse workers throughout New York’s five boroughs.
