New York City, NY – Amazon Labor Union (ALU) members have made a significant decision to affiliate with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. This move is seen as a step towards securing union contracts for Amazon warehouse workers after a long-standing struggle.
The creation of a new ALU-International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Local 1 will now represent around 5,500 Amazon warehouse employees at JFK8. This affiliation also means that if other Amazon warehouses in New York City decide to unionize, Local 1 will have jurisdiction over their workers as well.
ALU president Chris Smalls expressed pride in the members’ decision, stating that they are now stronger than ever before. The support of 1.3 million Teamsters gives the ALU increased worker power to demand better working conditions and ultimately secure a contract at JFK8.
In a similar move, Amazon workers at the company’s major US air cargo hub in Kentucky, KCVG, also recently voted to affiliate with the Teamsters. However, JFK8 stands out as the first Amazon warehouse to successfully vote to unionize.
Teamsters general president Sean O’Brien emphasized the importance of setting standards for worker protections, citing an agreement that safeguards 340,000 UPS warehouse employees and drivers in the industry. He affirmed that they would hold Amazon to these same standards going forward.
Overall, the decision by ALU members to affiliate with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters marks a significant development in efforts to secure better conditions and contracts for Amazon warehouse workers. The unionization of JFK8 and the support of a powerful labor organization like the Teamsters may pave the way for similar movements in other Amazon warehouses, ultimately benefiting workers across the company.