Amazon Labor Union

Amazon Labor Union logo with three fists coming out of a box

Under the IWW banner “an injury to one is an injury to all…” an independent group of current and former workers led by Christian Smalls organized Amazon’s JFK8 Fulfilment Center on Staten Island, the first of any Amazon warehouse to vote to unionize. 

Relying heavily on developing personal relationships with the workers, or associates, through events such as BBQs, meeting people at the bus station on their commute to work, and heavy use of social media among other tactics,  the group generated solidarity among the workers with a straightforward message: “Our demands are simple: better pay, better benefits, and better working conditions.”

Even after winning their initial election in April of 2022, however,  Amazon initially refused to recognize the union and stalled negotiations for a contract, and continues to face numerous complaints about their unfair labor practices.   The union was finally certified in January of 2023, and has adopted the  Amazon Labor Union Links to an external site. Constitution and Bylaws Links to an external site. to outline their beliefs and governance.  Their hope is to become a model for organizing at other Amazon locations, which would build more strength for the union to negotiate for workers across the company.

Note: As the Amazon Labor Union is a newly formed union, some of the content may be out of date, depending on the outcome of ongoing negotiations.

Question

  • How can a newsletter such as this create a sense of solidarity, and build trust among those that voted to join the union?

Amazon Labor Union Newsletter:  The Voice of the Associates Links to an external site., Issue 1

Cover of The Voice of the Associates with a drawing of workers and an article titled "After the Election, What's Next?"

Amazon Labor Union Logo Links to an external site.

Image:  Scheiber, Noam. "Amazon Workers Who Won a Union their Way Open Labor Leaders’ Eyes Links to an external site.." New York Times, 6 Apr 2022.

Amazon Labor Union. The Voice of the Associates. Links to an external site.Issue 1, July 2022.