Over two years ago, workers at Amazon warehouse JFK8 in New York made history when they won their union election―the first time Amazon workers had ever unionized. It was a moment that reverberated throughout the labor movement: if Amazon workers can unionize, what else is possible?
Then Amazon, in classic Amazon fashion, tried to stamp out the newly formed Amazon Labor Union by challenging the union election itself. Over and over, Amazon filed frivolous complaint after frivolous complaint, hoping that the delays would sap workers’ resolve. It didn’t work.
After a protracted legal battle, the National Labor Relations Board recently ruled that ALU’s victory stands. Amazon is out of appeals, and Amazon workers at JFK8 are done waiting. It’s time for Amazon to come to the bargaining table.
In Amazon Labor Union President Connor Spence’s words:
“After two long years of stalling, Amazon has finally lost its court battle to overturn the results of our NLRB union election in March of 2022.
At that time, we JFK8 workers decisively indicated to the company that we believe in fighting together rather than alone to change our working conditions and that we want Amazon to negotiate with us collectively. We formed the Amazon Labor Union because a union is our only chance of protecting one another and fighting back. There’s a lot that needs to change at Amazon, and Amazon knows that if we stand together as one union, we can force them to fix those things and more.
That’s why Amazon chooses to break the law instead. They’ve spent millions of dollars to bust our union, violate our rights, and appeal our victory endlessly in court. That’s all over now. Our victory stands and our demand is clear: We’re done waiting, it’s time for Amazon to come to the table and negotiate a fair contract.”
Amazon Labor Union has been through a lot in the past two years, from battles with Amazon to transitions within the union itself. With this legal victory and a recent affiliation with the Teamsters, Amazon Labor Union stands stronger than ever. ALU is ready to sit down at the bargaining table with one of the biggest corporations in the world, to negotiate a contract that, when reached, will also reverberate through the labor movement and beyond, showing workers everywhere what is possible.
Take Action to Support Amazon Labor Union:
To take on Amazon, ALU needs the support of the movement and the Labor Force community. ALU’s recent legal win and affiliation are huge developments, but neither is a panacea. ALU still needs to raise funds for key initiatives and build up power within JFK8 to win the contract workers there deserve. The Labor Force is partnering with Amazon Labor Union to provide direct material support for their efforts to win a contract and organize more warehouses!
In solidarity,
The Labor Force