What Happened to Amazon Labor Union (ALU)?
The Amazon Labor Union (ALU) is a worker-led labor union that achieved a historic victory in April 2022 by becoming the first union to successfully organize an Amazon warehouse in the United States, at the JFK8 facility in Staten Island, New York. Despite this initial success, the ALU has faced significant challenges, including Amazon's legal resistance, internal disputes, and failed attempts to unionize other facilities. In June 2024, the ALU affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to bolster its resources and continue its fight for a collective bargaining agreement, with the NLRB ordering Amazon to bargain in April 2026.
Quick Answer
The Amazon Labor Union (ALU), after its historic 2022 victory at the JFK8 warehouse, has navigated internal strife and Amazon's persistent legal challenges. In June 2024, it affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, becoming ALU-IBT Local 1, to gain crucial resources and support. As of September 2026, the union continues its efforts to secure a first contract with Amazon, backed by an April 2026 National Labor Relations Board order compelling Amazon to bargain. The ALU-IBT is also actively involved in legislative efforts to improve worker conditions.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Chris Smalls Fired by Amazon
Christian Smalls, a process assistant at Amazon's JFK8 warehouse, was fired after organizing a walkout to protest unsafe working conditions related to COVID-19, which he claims was retaliation.
Amazon Labor Union (ALU) Founded
Chris Smalls and Derrick Palmer, along with other Amazon workers, officially founded the Amazon Labor Union (ALU) to organize Amazon employees.
NLRB Approves JFK8 Union Election
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced that Amazon workers at the JFK8 fulfillment center in Staten Island would vote on unionization from March 25-30, 2022.
Historic JFK8 Union Victory
Workers at Amazon's JFK8 warehouse voted 2,654 to 2,131 to unionize, making it the first Amazon facility in the U.S. with a recognized union.
Failed Union Vote at LDJ5 Warehouse
Workers at a second Staten Island Amazon warehouse, LDJ5, voted against unionizing, with 618 against and 380 for, indicating challenges for further expansion.
Internal Strife and Lawsuit Against ALU Leadership
A group of ALU members, including co-founder Connor Spence, sued the union and Chris Smalls, alleging constitutional violations and demanding new leadership elections due to internal disarray.
Chris Smalls Departs ALU Presidency
Chris Smalls stepped down as president of the Amazon Labor Union amidst internal factionalism and leadership changes. Connor Spence later became president of ALU-IBT Local 1.
ALU Affiliates with Teamsters
ALU members voted to ratify an affiliation partnership with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, providing the union with significant financial and organizational resources.
Teamsters-Coordinated Strikes Against Amazon
The Teamsters union coordinated a five-day strike across several Amazon facilities in the U.S. in the lead-up to Christmas, demanding contract negotiations and protesting unfair labor practices.
Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Act (WWIRA) Passed
The ALU-IBT successfully lobbied for the passage of the WWIRA in New York, a landmark legislation aimed at improving safety and reducing musculoskeletal injuries in warehouses.
Oxfam Report Highlights Amazon's Anti-Union Tactics
Oxfam released a report detailing Amazon's extensive anti-union spending (over $14 million in 2022) and alleged illegal threats against workers, highlighting the ongoing struggle.
NLRB Orders Amazon to Bargain with ALU-IBT
The National Labor Relations Board issued a historic ruling, ordering Amazon to recognize ALU-IBT Local 1 and begin good-faith bargaining, rejecting Amazon's long-standing appeals.
Chris Smalls Arrested at Met Gala Protest
Former ALU President Chris Smalls was arrested outside the 2026 Met Gala while protesting and advocating for broader human rights and international solidarity efforts.
Lobbying for Delivery Protection Act in NYC
Amazon Teamsters, including ALU-IBT members, are actively lobbying for the passage of the Delivery Protection Act in New York City, aiming to improve conditions for delivery workers.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Amazon Labor Union (ALU) emerged from a grassroots movement of current and former Amazon workers, officially forming on April 20, 2021. Led by Christian Smalls, who was fired by Amazon in 2020 after organizing a walkout to protest COVID-19 safety conditions, the ALU aimed to address issues of pay, benefits, and working conditions at Amazon's facilities. Their efforts culminated in a landmark union election at the JFK8 fulfillment center in Staten Island, New York.
On April 1, 2022, workers at JFK8 voted 2,654 to 2,131 in favor of unionizing, marking the first successful unionization of an Amazon warehouse in the United States. This victory was widely hailed as a significant moment for organized labor. However, Amazon immediately challenged the results, filing 25 objections with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging improper influence and election irregularities. This initiated a prolonged legal battle, preventing the ALU from entering into contract negotiations.
Following its initial success, the ALU faced a series of setbacks. Attempts to unionize a second Staten Island warehouse (LDJ5) and facilities in upstate New York and North Carolina failed in 2022 and 2025, respectively. The union also grappled with internal divisions, financial struggles, and leadership disputes. In July 2023, a dissident group, including co-founder Connor Spence, sued the union and Chris Smalls, alleging constitutional violations and demanding new leadership elections. Smalls eventually stepped down as president in 2024.
Recognizing the need for greater resources and institutional support, the ALU voted in June 2024 to affiliate with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, becoming Amazon Labor Union-International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1 (ALU-IBT Local 1). This affiliation brought significant financial backing and a broader organizational structure to the struggling union. The Teamsters subsequently coordinated a five-day strike across several Amazon locations in December 2024, demanding contract negotiations and protesting Amazon's anti-union practices.
As of September 2026, the ALU-IBT continues its fight for a collective bargaining agreement. A major development occurred on April 2, 2026, when the NLRB issued a historic ruling ordering Amazon to recognize ALU-IBT Local 1 and begin good-faith negotiations, rejecting Amazon's appeals. This ruling marked a significant legal victory, compelling Amazon to come to the bargaining table after years of resistance. Beyond contract negotiations, the ALU-IBT has been active in legislative efforts, including lobbying for the Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Act (WWIRA), passed in December 2024, and supporting the ongoing Delivery Protection Act in New York City in August 2026, which aims to hold companies like Amazon accountable for delivery worker conditions. Chris Smalls, no longer president, remains a prominent labor activist, notably being arrested at a Met Gala protest in May 2026 while advocating for broader human rights issues.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Amazon Labor Union (ALU) made different choices?