By Greg Bensinger
SAN FRANCISCO, April 2 (Reuters) – Amazon must negotiate with a labor union representing some 5,000 workers at a company warehouse on Staten Island, the National Labor Relations Board ruled on Wednesday.
The ruling means Amazon is required to meet with representatives of the Amazon Labor Union, which formed in 2022 and has been seeking to negotiate with Amazon over pay, working conditions and other matters.
The union was initially formed independently but has since aligned with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
The NLRB said in its ruling that Amazon “has engaged in unfair labor practices” by refusing to bargain with the labor group or to recognize its legitimacy.
Amazon has long resisted organized labor, touting what it says are high hourly wages and saying workers are best served by negotiating directly with the company.
Amazon said on Thursday it disagreed with the NLRB’s ruling.
“Representatives of the NLRB improperly influenced this election,” the company said in a statement, suggesting it planned to appeal.
“We’re confident an unbiased court will overturn the original certification, and we look forward to the opportunity for our team to fairly voice their opinions.”
An appeal would likely preclude Amazon from having to comply with the NLRB’s order while it makes its way through the courts.
The Teamsters in a statement called the ruling a “historic victory for Amazon Teamsters nationwide and a testament to worker power.”
Related to the Staten Island case, Amazon has argued that the NLRB itself is unconstitutional and sued to block the agency from ruling on it. The matter is still pending.
The Teamsters have organized numerous Amazon workers, including delivery drivers, and helped orchestrate a brief walkout at several U.S. facilities in late 2024.
(Reporting by Greg Bensinger; Editing by Shreya Biswas)
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