Two years after its historic win, a divided Amazon Labor Union lurches toward a leadership election
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Two years after its historic win, a divided Amazon Labor Union lurches toward a leadership election

Associated Press  

Two years after clinching a historic victory at a warehouse in New York City, the first labor union for Amazon workers in the United States is divided, running out of money and fighting over an election that could determine who will lead the group in the near future. Cracks emerged within the Amazon Labor Union ranks after it lost the votes at a second Staten Island warehouse and at one in upstate New York, spurring disagreements about the group’s organizing strategy. Some felt Chris Smalls, the union’s president, spent too much time traveling and giving speeches instead of focusing on Staten Island, where the union still does not have a contract with Amazon. “If we’re not able to do this, it’s going to have a domino effect, and a lot of Amazon workers are going to lose hope.” One Amazon worker on Staten Island, Keanu Rivera, 28, said he voted in favor of the union two years ago and sometimes reads the emails he receives from the labor group.

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History of this topic

Amazon and Starbucks workers are on strike. Trump might have something to do with it
1 day, 22 hours ago

Amazon and Starbucks workers are on strike. Trump might have something to do with it

Associated Press  

Amazon delivery drivers and Starbucks baristas are on strike in a handful of U.S. cities as they seek to exert pressure on the two major companies to recognize them as unionized employees or to meet demands for an inaugural labor contract. John Logan, director of labor and employment studies at San Francisco State University, said he thinks the Amazon and …

Amazon and Starbucks workers are on strike. Trump might have something to do with it
Trending News
2 days, 19 hours ago

Amazon and Starbucks workers are on strike. Trump might have something to do with it

Associated Press  

Amazon delivery drivers and Starbucks baristas are on strike in a handful of U.S. cities as they seek to exert pressure on the two major companies to recognize them as unionized employees or to meet demands for an inaugural labor contract. John Logan, director of labor and employment studies at San Francisco State University, said he thinks the Amazon and …

Amazon workers are striking at multiple facilities. Here’s what you should know
3 days, 20 hours ago

Amazon workers are striking at multiple facilities. Here’s what you should know

Associated Press  

Amazon workers affiliated with the Teamsters union continued a strike Friday at seven of the company’s delivery hubs just days before Christmas. The Teamsters haven’t formally indicated when the actions will end, but Vinnie Perrone, the president of a local Teamsters union in metro New York, said Thursday that the walkout would continue “as long as it takes.” The union, …

Amazon workers go on strike, seek labour agreement in holiday shopping period
Top News
4 days, 18 hours ago

Amazon workers go on strike, seek labour agreement in holiday shopping period

India Today  

Amazon.com workers at seven US facilities walked off the job early on Thursday during the holiday shopping rush, aiming to pressure the retailer into contract talks with their union. Warehouse workers in cities including New York, Atlanta and San Francisco are taking part in the "largest" strike against Amazon, said the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents about 10,000 workers …

‘Union’ chronicles a labor battle against Amazon, warts and all
3 weeks ago

‘Union’ chronicles a labor battle against Amazon, warts and all

LA Times  

“Union” is not your grandmother’s organized labor documentary. The film, about the efforts of a group of workers at a Staten Island Amazon warehouse to unionize their colleagues, fits broadly into a lineage of nonfiction classics that includes Oscar winners “Harlan County USA” and “American Factory.” But for co-director Brett Story, there was something new to the tale. “Right away, …

SpaceX, Amazon Lawsuits Could Gut The NLRB
3 weeks, 5 days ago

SpaceX, Amazon Lawsuits Could Gut The NLRB

Huff Post  

Elon Musk's SpaceX is leading the charge against the NLRB in court, mounting a constitutional challenge that could all but gut the agency. “It would be a Pandora's box that, once open, it’s unclear what would happen.” - Joseph McCartin, Georgetown University Legal experts said a Supreme Court ruling against the agency on constitutional grounds could require Congress to step …

Amazon workers in Alabama will have third labor union vote after judge finds illegal influence
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Amazon workers in Alabama will have third labor union vote after judge finds illegal influence

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Amazon workers in Alabama will decide for the third time in three years whether to unionize after a federal judge ruled that the retail giant improperly influenced the most recent vote in which employees rejected a union. Administrative law judge Michael Silverstein on Tuesday ordered the third vote for Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama, about 20 …

Judge Orders Another Amazon Union Election In Alabama
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Judge Orders Another Amazon Union Election In Alabama

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING A judge at the federal labor board has ordered a do-over union election at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama, finding that the online retail giant broke the law in ways that spoiled a vote by workers in 2022. In a decision issued Tuesday at the National Labor Relations Board, Administrative Law Judge Michael Silverstein ruled that …

Amazon ordered to let workers vote on unionizing — for the 3rd time
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Amazon ordered to let workers vote on unionizing — for the 3rd time

NPR  

Amazon ordered to let workers vote on unionizing — for the 3rd time toggle caption Patrick Fallon/AFP via Getty Amazon workers at a warehouse in Alabama should get a third opportunity to vote on unionizing, a federal labor judge has ruled. U.S. labor officials later ruled that Amazon improperly influenced the vote, and workers voted a second time in 2022. …

Amazon says in a federal lawsuit that the NLRB’s structure is unconstitutional
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Amazon says in a federal lawsuit that the NLRB’s structure is unconstitutional

Associated Press  

Amazon is challenging the structure of the National Labor Relations Board in a lawsuit that also accuses the agency of improperly influencing the outcome of a union election at a company warehouse more than two years ago. Amazon views the agency’s lawsuit, which sought to force the company to give a union organizer his job back, as improperly influencing the …

A union for Amazon warehouse workers elects a new leader in wake of Teamsters affiliation
4 months, 3 weeks ago

A union for Amazon warehouse workers elects a new leader in wake of Teamsters affiliation

Associated Press  

Workers at Amazon’s only unionized warehouse in the U.S. elected new union leaders, according to a vote count completed Tuesday, marking the first major change for the labor group since it established an alliance with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. A slate of candidates headed up by a former Amazon worker named Connor Spence received the most votes cast by …

Amazon Labor Union members vote overwhelmingly in favor of an affiliation with the Teamsters
6 months ago

Amazon Labor Union members vote overwhelmingly in favor of an affiliation with the Teamsters

Associated Press  

New York City warehouse workers who are part of the Amazon Labor Union overwhelmingly voted to align themselves with the Teamsters as they try to get a contract from the online retailer. “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 …

Amazon hit with labour complaint over alleged bargaining refusal
1 year, 5 months ago

Amazon hit with labour complaint over alleged bargaining refusal

Al Jazeera  

Amazon.com has been hit with a complaint for allegedly refusing to bargain with a New York workers’ union, a spokesperson for the National Labor Relations Board said. The NLRB general counsel, which acts as a prosecutor, said the board is seeking remedies that include ordering Amazon to bargain in good faith with the union representing workers at its JFK8 facility …

Labor's labors lost? A year after stunning victory at Amazon, unions are stalled
1 year, 8 months ago

Labor's labors lost? A year after stunning victory at Amazon, unions are stalled

NPR  

A year after stunning victory at Amazon, unions are stalled Enlarge this image toggle caption Spencer Platt/Getty Images Spencer Platt/Getty Images It was the Champagne pop heard across the economy. One year ago Saturday, a fired Amazon warehouse worker turned labor activist sprayed Champagne and then drank from the bottle outside federal labor offices in New York City. Following a …

Amazon union push at Moreno Valley warehouse stalls
2 years, 1 month ago

Amazon union push at Moreno Valley warehouse stalls

LA Times  

Amazon employees Dyana Gallo, left, and Nannette Plascencia, center, of the Amazon fulfillment center in Moreno Valley, wait with community organizer Carolina Verduzco to file their petition for a union election this month at the National Labor Relations Board’s regional office in downtown Los Angeles. A group of Amazon workers at a fulfillment center in Moreno Valley seeking to join …

Amazon workers reject union bid in upstate New York
2 years, 2 months ago

Amazon workers reject union bid in upstate New York

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Amazon workers in upstate New York overwhelmingly rejected a union bid on Tuesday, handing a second defeat to the labor group that’s been attempting to drag the company to the negotiating table since its historic win earlier this year. Warehouse workers near Albany cast 406 votes out of the 612 ballots counted — or about 66% — …

Amazon workers reject union bid in upstate New York
2 years, 2 months ago

Amazon workers reject union bid in upstate New York

Al Jazeera  

The loss has dashed, for now, the labour group’s hopes to get Amazon to the negotiating table on contracts. Amazon workers in upstate New York have overwhelmingly rejected a union bid, handing a second defeat to the labour group that’s been trying to drag the company to the negotiating table. This time around, 406, or two-thirds of workers at a …

Amazon workers vote against unionizing at upstate NY warehouse
2 years, 2 months ago

Amazon workers vote against unionizing at upstate NY warehouse

NPR  

Amazon workers vote against unionizing at upstate NY warehouse Enlarge this image toggle caption Lucas Willard/WAMC Lucas Willard/WAMC Amazon warehouse workers near Albany, N.Y., have voted no to a union, delivering a blow to the fledgling effort to organize employees at one of the country's largest employers. More than 900 Amazon employees were eligible to vote on whether to join …

Amazon faces off with union in fight for a second warehouse
2 years, 2 months ago

Amazon faces off with union in fight for a second warehouse

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “I can’t jinx it.” The face-off near the …

Amazon faces off with union in fight for a second warehouse
2 years, 2 months ago

Amazon faces off with union in fight for a second warehouse

Al Jazeera  

The startup union that clinched a historic labour victory at Amazon earlier this year is slated to face the company yet again, aiming to rack up more wins that could force the reluctant retail behemoth to the negotiating table. “I can’t jinx it.” The face-off near the state’s capitol — one of the most unionised metro areas in the country, …

Amazon workers at Moreno Valley warehouse file for union election — a first in California
2 years, 2 months ago

Amazon workers at Moreno Valley warehouse file for union election — a first in California

LA Times  

A group of workers at the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Moreno Valley is pushing for a union and has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board. Amazon workers at a fulfillment center in Moreno Valley filed a petition for a union election, the National Labor Relations Board confirmed Tuesday. The workers are seeking to join the upstart Amazon …

Amazon warehouse workers in Albany will vote on unionization in October
2 years, 3 months ago

Amazon warehouse workers in Albany will vote on unionization in October

NPR  

Amazon warehouse workers in Albany will vote on unionization in October Enlarge this image toggle caption Eduardo Munoz Avarez/AP Eduardo Munoz Avarez/AP Amazon faces yet another union vote this year, this time at a facility outside Albany, N.Y., months after workers on Staten Island formed the company's first unionized U.S. warehouse. While Amazon pursues legal challenges to that historic union …

Amazon workers at fulfillment center in Moreno Valley announce union drive
2 years, 3 months ago

Amazon workers at fulfillment center in Moreno Valley announce union drive

LA Times  

A coalition of workers at an Amazon warehouse in Moreno Valley announced Friday a push to join the Amazon Labor Union, which mounted the first successful unionization effort at any Amazon warehouse in the United States. Plascencia was joined by Chris Smalls, who led a group of workers at Amazon’s warehouse in Staten Island to a historic win when in …

Amazon bid to scrap historic union win blocked
2 years, 3 months ago

Amazon bid to scrap historic union win blocked

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — A hearing officer for a federal labor board has rebuffed Amazon’s attempt to scrap a historic union win at a warehouse on Staten Island, New York, handing victory to organizers in what could be a very long battle for recognition. Thursday’s win is a relief for the Amazon Labor Union, the grassroots group of former and current …

Amazon loses key step in its attempt to reverse its workers' historic union vote
2 years, 3 months ago

Amazon loses key step in its attempt to reverse its workers' historic union vote

NPR  

Amazon loses key step in its attempt to reverse its workers' historic union vote Enlarge this image toggle caption Robert Bumsted/AP Robert Bumsted/AP Amazon appears to be losing its case to unravel the union victory that formed the company's first organized warehouse in the U.S. After workers in Staten Island, N.Y., voted to join the Amazon Labor Union this spring, …

Amazon workers in San Bernardino stage walk out to protest low pay and safety conditions
2 years, 4 months ago

Amazon workers in San Bernardino stage walk out to protest low pay and safety conditions

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

New York appeals court dismisses AG suit against Amazon
2 years, 7 months ago

New York appeals court dismisses AG suit against Amazon

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — An appeals court in New York dismissed New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against Amazon over its coronavirus safety protocols and a former employee who led the successful union organizing effort on Staten Island. Besides potentially exposing workers to the virus at two Amazon facilities in New York City, the lawsuit filed by James last year …

Labor agency: Amazon union’s meeting complaints have merit
2 years, 7 months ago

Labor agency: Amazon union’s meeting complaints have merit

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The National Labor Relations Board has found merit in a union charge that Amazon violated labor law in New York City’s Staten Island by holding mandatory worker meetings to persuade its employees not to unionize. But in a memo sent to the agency’s field offices last month, NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo said she believes the meetings, …

Amazon union head, others meet at White House on organizing
2 years, 7 months ago

Amazon union head, others meet at White House on organizing

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh met with union organizers at the White House on Thursday as the administration looks to boost unionization campaigns. Participants in the meeting, which featured an unscheduled appearance by President Joe Biden, discussed organizers’ efforts to form unions in their workplaces, and how those could prompt workers around the country …

Amazon workers in NYC reject union in a reversal of fortune
2 years, 7 months ago

Amazon workers in NYC reject union in a reversal of fortune

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Amazon workers at a warehouse on New York City’s Staten Island overwhelmingly rejected a union bid on Monday, dealing a blow to organizers who last month pulled off the first successful U.S. organizing effort in the e-commerce giant’s history. Kate Andrias, professor of law at Columbia University and an expert in labor law, said it can also …

Amazon to get hearing that could overturn NY union vote, labour board official says
2 years, 7 months ago

Amazon to get hearing that could overturn NY union vote, labour board official says

The Hindu  

Amazon.com Inc's objections to alandmark union election at a company warehouse in New York City justify a hearing that could overturn the result, a U.S. National Labor Relations Board official said. That office's director, Cornele Overstreet, said the evidence behind Amazon's claims "could be grounds for overturning the election," according to a filing on Friday. Some 55% of employees who …

Amazon defeats drive to unionize second New York facility
2 years, 7 months ago

Amazon defeats drive to unionize second New York facility

Al Jazeera  

Amazon workers at a facility in Staten Island voted not to join an upstart union weeks after the group won a major victory at a warehouse across the street. Amazon.com Inc. workers at a facility in New York voted not to join an upstart union only weeks after the group won a resounding victory at a warehouse across the street. …

Amazon Labor Union fails to repeat victory in Staten Island Amazon warehouse election
2 years, 7 months ago

Amazon Labor Union fails to repeat victory in Staten Island Amazon warehouse election

NPR  

Amazon Labor Union fails to repeat victory in Staten Island Amazon warehouse election Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images After a breakthrough election victory at Amazon, the Amazon Labor Union fell far short of winning enough votes to unionize a second warehouse on Staten Island in New York. Sponsor Message The tally comes …

Amazon Labor Union fails to repeat victory in Staten Island Amazon warehouse election
2 years, 7 months ago

Amazon Labor Union fails to repeat victory in Staten Island Amazon warehouse election

NPR  

Amazon Labor Union fails to repeat victory in Staten Island Amazon warehouse election Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images After a breakthrough election victory at Amazon, the Amazon Labor Union fell far short of winning enough votes to unionize a second warehouse on Staten Island in New York. Sponsor Message The tally comes …

A 2nd Amazon warehouse on Staten Island begins voting on a union
2 years, 7 months ago

A 2nd Amazon warehouse on Staten Island begins voting on a union

NPR  

A 2nd Amazon warehouse on Staten Island begins voting on a union Enlarge this image toggle caption Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images Can an upstart, independent union stage a repeat victory? That's the question on Staten Island this week as more Amazon warehouse workers vote on whether to join the Amazon Labor Union. Sponsor Message …

Amazon union could face a tough road ahead after victory
2 years, 7 months ago

Amazon union could face a tough road ahead after victory

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — In the aftermath of their hard-won labor victory, Amazon workers in the New York City borough of Staten Island popped Champagne, cheered their victory and danced in celebration. Among other things, the nascent Amazon Labor Union, or ALU, has said it wants longer breaks for warehouse employees, more time off and a dramatically higher minimum hourly wage …

Amazon workers in small New Jersey facility file for union election
2 years, 8 months ago

Amazon workers in small New Jersey facility file for union election

The Hindu  

Amazon.com Inc workers at a small facility in New Jersey have shown enough interest to hold a vote on unionising, the U.S. National Labor Relations Board said on Monday. At least 60 of 200 workers from Amazon's DNK5 depot in Bayonne, New Jersey, have submitted cards seeking to organise as part of Local 713 International Brotherhood of the Trade Union, …

Today’s Cache | Amazon unfulfilled
2 years, 8 months ago

Today’s Cache | Amazon unfulfilled

The Hindu  

In March, Amazon’s JFK8 warehouse workers went to vote on whether they should form a union or not. Workers cast 2,654 votes to be represented by Amazon Labour Union and 2,131 against, according to the U.S. National Labour Relations Board. In his campaign, Smalls urged workers to disrupt Amazon’s plan to curtail union activities at the company. The victory at …

Amazon seeks to overturn union win, says vote was tainted
2 years, 8 months ago

Amazon seeks to overturn union win, says vote was tainted

Associated Press  

Amazon is seeking to overturn the historic union victory at one of its New York City warehouses, arguing in a legal filing Friday that union organizers and the National Labor Relations Board acted in a way that tainted the results. The e-commerce giant listed 25 objections in the filing obtained by The Associated Press, accusing organizers with the nascent Amazon …

Amazon objecting to union’s victory in New York, alleging interference
2 years, 8 months ago

Amazon objecting to union’s victory in New York, alleging interference

The Hindu  

Amazon.com accused the new union at a New York City warehouse of threatening workers unless they voted to organise, an assertion an attorney for the labour group called "really absurd." The U.S. National Labor Relations Board is giving Amazon until April 22 to back up its objections to last week'selection in New York, in which Staten Island workers voted toform …

Op-Ed: Amazon workers scored a huge union victory but face a tough road ahead
2 years, 8 months ago

Op-Ed: Amazon workers scored a huge union victory but face a tough road ahead

LA Times  

Chris Smalls, president of the Amazon Labor Union, front right, joins supporters as they march at the Amazon distribution center in Staten Island on Oct. 25. It takes a steely group of workers to persist through what is, in effect, the psy-ops of an employer’s anti-union campaign: denigrating unions and unionism; implying threats; suggesting that organizing is futile because when …

Chris Smalls started Amazon's 1st union. He's now heard from workers at 50 warehouses
2 years, 8 months ago

Chris Smalls started Amazon's 1st union. He's now heard from workers at 50 warehouses

NPR  

Chris Smalls started Amazon's 1st union. He's now heard from workers at 50 warehouses Enlarge this image toggle caption Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images;Craig Ruttle/AP Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images;Craig Ruttle/AP Chris Smalls is president of the newly minted Amazon Labor Union. He asked: "What message do you have for the millions of workers across the country who want to …

Amazon union leader slams AOC: 'She doesn't deserve this moment'
2 years, 8 months ago

Amazon union leader slams AOC: 'She doesn't deserve this moment'

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Any message for AOC specifically?” Status Coup asked Mr Smalls on 1 April after …

Amazon’s first US union overcomes hurdles, faces new ones
2 years, 8 months ago

Amazon’s first US union overcomes hurdles, faces new ones

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — When a scrappy group of former and current warehouse workers on Staten Island, New York went head-to-head with Amazon in a union election, many compared it to a David and Goliath battle. Instead, he chose an independent path, believing workers organizing themselves would be more effective and undercut Amazon’s narrative that “third party” groups were driving union …

Today’s Cache | Unionising Amazon
2 years, 8 months ago

Today’s Cache | Unionising Amazon

The Hindu  

Amazon has made shopping easy and convenient for consumers around the world by selling almost all consumer products via its app. In late March, Amazon’s JFK8 warehouse workers went to vote on whether they should form an union or not. Workers cast 2,654 votes to be represented by Amazon Labour Union and 2,131 against, according to the U.S. National Labour …

How Amazon Employees Won Their First Union
2 years, 8 months ago

How Amazon Employees Won Their First Union

Slate  

It’s rare to call a unionization victory historic, but it’s hard to avoid calling this week’s win at a giant, 8,000-employee Amazon warehouse in Staten Island anything but that. Much like the first union victory at a corporate-owned Starbucks—which happened last December in Buffalo—the union win in Staten Island will inspire many workers and many more unionization drives, at Amazon …

Amazon workers in NYC vote to unionize in historic labor win
2 years, 8 months ago

Amazon workers in NYC vote to unionize in historic labor win

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Amazon workers in Staten Island, New York, voted to unionize on Friday, marking the first successful U.S. organizing effort in the retail giant’s history and handing an unexpected win to a nascent group that fueled the union drive. Chris Smalls, a fired Amazon employee who has been leading the ALU in its fight on Staten Island, bounded …

Amazon Workers On Staten Island Vote To Form Union In Historic Upset
2 years, 8 months ago

Amazon Workers On Staten Island Vote To Form Union In Historic Upset

Huff Post  

People arrive for work at JFK8, the Amazon fulfillment center on Staten Island, New York, where workers voted to unionize. via Associated Press In a historic win for the labor movement, warehouse workers on Staten Island, New York, have voted to form the first union inside an Amazon facility in the U.S. Employees at the company’s fulfillment center known as …

Workers in New York vote to form Amazon's first-ever union in US
2 years, 8 months ago

Workers in New York vote to form Amazon's first-ever union in US

Raw Story  

This is a breaking news story. Amazon workers in Staten Island, New York won their election Friday to form the retail giant's first-ever union in the United States, a landmark victory for the labor movement in the face of aggressive union-busting efforts from one of the world's most powerful companies. CNBCreported that "while the official vote tally hasn't been announced, …

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