NLRB Orders Amazon to Recognize Staten Island Teamsters Union

Amazon Ordered to Recognize Teamsters Union by NLRB

(WASHINGTON) – The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has taken a significant step in labor relations by ruling against Amazon, compelling the company to acknowledge the Staten Island-based Amazon Labor Union-International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1 (ALU-IBT 1). This decision marks a pivotal moment as Amazon is directed to enter negotiations with the Teamsters.

"Four years ago, Amazon workers at JFK8 won an NLRB election. Now, on this monumental anniversary, they have become the first group ever to force the company to recognize their union, and they did so as Teamsters," stated Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. "This fight is far from over but this ruling from the NLRB is an historic victory for Amazon Teamsters nationwide and a testament to worker power."

The saga began when more than 5,000 warehouse employees at the JFK8 facility in Staten Island successfully formed their union on April 1, 2022. Two years later, in June 2024, they officially became affiliated with the Teamsters Union as ALU-IBT Local 1. Throughout this period, the NLRB repeatedly determined that Amazon unlawfully dismissed the union's standing, while allegedly trying to dissuade workers from organizing.

"Amazon’s strategy these last few years has been to delay, delay, delay – and the NLRB confirmed it because the law is not on their side," stated Randy Korgan, Director of the Teamsters Amazon Division. "Amazon Teamsters know that this company will try to do anything it can to worm out of its responsibilities. The Teamsters will continue to build worker power at Amazon and hold the company accountable wherever it violates the law."

Furthermore, Amazon is required to prominently display notice of the NLRB's ruling at the JFK8 site, informing employees about their unionization rights. This decision effectively nullifies any further appeals Amazon might have had concerning Teamsters' unionization at the facility.

"We are making history at Amazon, and we are doing it through undiluted worker power," commented Connor Spence, President of Amazon Labor Union-Teamsters Local 1. "This company has used every resource it has to try and break us over the past four years, and it continues to fail because vicious rapacity is no match for collective action."

This announcement follows closely after the union's recent achievement, which upheld Amazon Teamsters’ right to strike.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, established in 1903, represents more than 1.3 million workers across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. More details can be found at Teamster.org. Stay updated by following them on @Teamsters on X and on Facebook.com/teamsters.