The odds were never in their favor, but hot damn, they did it.
Amazon workers at a Staten Island warehouse have voted in favor of unionizing, according to vote counts published on Twitter. They will join the independent Amazon Labor Union, a new organization unaffiliated with pre-existing unions.
The ALU was started by former Amazon fulfillment center worker Chris Smalls who says he was fired in retaliation for organizing. The most recent count of the last box of ballots showed 2,050 Yes votes to 1,574 No votes.
“We worked, had fun, and made history,” Smalls tweeted Friday morning after the victory became apparent. “Welcome the 1st union in America for Amazon.”
The win is notable not just because it’s the first vote to unionize an Amazon facility, but because of the tremendous fight Amazon has been putting up against unionization efforts. Filings from the department of labor show Amazon spent $4.3 million on anti-union consulting efforts, and Amazon has been accused of employing union busting tactics.
“We’re disappointed with the outcome of the election in Staten Island because we believe having a direct relationship with the company is best for our employees,” Amazon said in a statement posted in response to the results. Amazon also said in the statement that it is “evaluating our options,” and accuses the National Labor Relations Board of “inappropriate and undue influence.”
Votes are currently being counted for a second Amazon unionization effort in Bessemer, Alabama. Those workers have organized under the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU), not the independent ALU. It is the second time workers have voted, since a re-vote was ordered after the National Labor Relations Board found that Amazon had illegally interfered in the election. The first time around, workers voted no to unionizing by a wide margin. This time, the outcome of the vote hinges on the results of 416 contested ballots, according to the RWDSU.
But perhaps now, those workers in favor of unionizing in Alabama have reason to hope. Apparently, the might of one of the world’s most valuable corporations wasn’t enough to stop what the Washington Post has described as “dozens” of organizers and a true grassroots effort.
Organizers and activists posted tributes on Twitter to all the work that went into the vote. Smalls and his supporters even popped a bottle of champagne.
With Amazon apparently planning to contest the vote, the organizers still have work to do. But now that they’ve come this far, we’ll see if Amazon is any match for the ALU.
UPDATE: Apr. 1, 2022, 2:50 p.m. EDT This article was updated to include a statement from Amazon as well as more context about the vote.
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