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Dissident Group Assumes Control of Amazon Labor Union Amid Leadership Changes
In a significant shift, a dissident group has taken control of the Amazon Labor Union amid recent leadership changes. Explore the implications of this takeover and what it means for the future of labor rights at Amazon.
Dissident Group Takes Control of Amazon Labor Union
A dissident faction has successfully gained control of the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), which is the sole union in the United States that officially represents Amazon warehouse employees. The election results were announced on Tuesday, marking a significant shift in the union’s leadership.
The union initially achieved a representation victory at a Staten Island warehouse in 2022; however, it has yet to negotiate a contract as Amazon continues to contest the election outcome. Over the past year, the union has faced internal divisions regarding governance, strategic direction, and personal conflicts, particularly after failing to organize additional Amazon facilities.
Connor Spence, a leader of the dissident group, will assume the role of president, succeeding the founding president, Christian Smalls, who opted not to seek re-election. In a closely watched election, Mr. Spence triumphed over the union’s current recording secretary, with approximately 250 votes cast, a small fraction of the thousands of workers employed at the warehouse.
The results were confirmed by both Mr. Spence’s group and Mr. Smalls. Notably, Mr. Spence’s faction initiated a lawsuit last year aimed at enforcing leadership elections within the union. A settlement reached in January laid the groundwork for this month’s election, which was conducted under the supervision of a court-approved monitor.
The dissident group, known as the A.L.U. Democratic Reform Caucus, contended that Mr. Smalls and other union leaders wielded excessive power and lacked accountability to the rank-and-file members—a claim that Mr. Smalls has firmly rejected. In addition to the presidency, the caucus also claimed victory for the union’s three other officer positions.
In a statement following the election, the caucus expressed their relief, saying, “After a prolonged struggle to reform the union, we are eager to focus our collective efforts on bringing Amazon to the negotiating table.”