Amazon’s Unionized Warehouse in Staten Island Elects New Leaders
Workers at Amazon’s only unionized warehouse in the U.S. have elected new union leaders, marking the first significant leadership change since the union allied with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Connor Spence, a former Amazon worker, led a slate of candidates that received the most votes from employees at the Staten Island warehouse. Despite a low turnout, Spence garnered enough support to lead the Amazon Labor Union (ALU) in its ongoing efforts to secure a contract with Amazon, a company that has long resisted such efforts.
Spence, a prominent union organizer, previously led a dissident group that sued the union last year to prompt new leadership elections amid internal strife. He was fired by Amazon for violating a policy that forbids off-the-clock workers from accessing company buildings or outdoor work areas, a rule critics argue is designed to impede organizing.
Only 5% of the 5,312 workers at the warehouse voted by mail-in ballot, according to Arthur Schwartz, the attorney representing the dissident group. Spence received 137 out of 247 votes cast, defeating current ALU officer Claudia Ashterman and organizer Michelle Valentin.
“After more than two years of fighting to reform our union to make it more democratic, transparent, and militant, we are relieved to finally be able to turn our attention toward bringing Amazon to the table and winning an incredible contract,” Spence said in a statement.
Last month, workers at the same warehouse voted overwhelmingly to affiliate with the Teamsters union, which has agreed to provide the ALU with funding and support until it negotiates a contract with Amazon and begins collecting member dues.
The affiliation agreement, reviewed by The Associated Press, states that the ALU will be chartered as an “autonomous” local Teamsters union with the right to organize Amazon warehouse workers across New York City. The union branch, known as ALU-International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1, is also expected to assist in organizing Amazon warehouse workers elsewhere and to participate in strategy sessions.
Ruth Milkman, a sociologist of labor movements at the City University of New York, noted the challenge ahead: “The question is whether the outcome of the election, plus the Teamster affiliation, can create that kind of momentum needed among the rank-and-file. But even if it does, Amazon is going to fight it tooth-and-nail.”
Spence will succeed Chris Smalls, who led the first successful U.S. union organizing effort at Amazon in 2022. Smalls did not seek reelection, supporting instead a slate of candidates headed by Ashterman.
Since early July, candidates have engaged in vigorous campaigning during shift breaks and near the JFK8 Fulfillment Center. Campaign activities included setting up tents, handing out literature and water, and interacting with workers at a bus stop near the facility.
Spence has emphasized the importance of joint strategy sessions with the Teamsters, which have already begun offering support, including funding for the warehouse election and legal assistance. Recently, Teamsters provided legal aid when Spence and six others were arrested during an ALU rally near the warehouse.
Amazon spokesperson Mary Kate Paradis said the company had asked non-employees to leave its property, while organizers claimed the rally was held on public property. Since affiliating with the Teamsters, Amazon has made changes around the warehouse, such as installing gates and increasing security.
Amazon continues to face labor unrest elsewhere, with strikes in Kentucky and Chicago. However, the company has also had recent wins, including a narrow rejection of a union bid at a British facility and a favorable ruling in a worker safety case in Washington state.
In Staten Island, the ALU dissident group is working to energize workers around issues like heat safety and Juneteenth, with hopes that organizing efforts will eventually lead to a strike. Spence believes that to compel Amazon to negotiate, a national organizing campaign targeting strategic choke points is necessary.
The new leaders of the local union will be sworn in on Wednesday, according to Schwartz.
