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Pittsburg Today
By the People, for the People
Amazon Organizing Requires Unions to Join Forces
Metro strategy and labor-community alliances are key to building worker power at the logistics giant
Published on Feb. 12, 2026
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The article argues that unions must make Amazon organizing a priority for the entire labor movement, as the company's sprawling operations pose a threat to labor standards across many industries. It proposes a metro-based strategy that leverages Amazon's vulnerabilities in key urban areas, as well as the strategic role of certain workers like mechatronics and conveyor belt technicians. The article also emphasizes the need for strong labor-community alliances and coordinated political action to combat Amazon's exploitative practices.
Why it matters
Amazon's dominance in e-commerce, logistics, and other sectors means that how the company treats its workers has far-reaching implications for labor standards across the economy. Unions have a self-interest in supporting a broad campaign to organize Amazon workers and protect their own contract standards.
The details
The article outlines several key elements of an effective Amazon organizing strategy, including: focusing on metro regions with large Amazon operations and sympathetic elected officials; identifying strategic workers like mechatronics and conveyor belt technicians who could disrupt Amazon's logistics; building labor-community alliances to wield political power; and creating 'Amazon labor tables' to coordinate union efforts. It also highlights recent organizing victories, like the first-ever NLRB election win at Amazon's Staten Island facility, as well as the Teamsters' aggressive legal and workplace action strategy.
- In 2021, the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) made history by being the first union to have an NLRB-supervised election at Amazon.
- In 2022, the RWDSU lost the rerun election, but by a closer margin.
- Also in 2022, an independent union won a first-ever NLRB election victory at Amazon's Staten Island fulfillment center.
The players
Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU)
An affiliate of the Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union that made history in 2021 by being the first union to have an NLRB-supervised election at Amazon.
Teamsters union
The union that has been the most high-profile contender with Amazon, supporting warehouse workers and delivery drivers in dozens of mini-strikes and other concerted actions.
Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ)
An organization of Amazon employees that has been organizing tech workers to protest the company's environmental policies.
Athena Coalition
A group that has spotlighted successful efforts to pass legislation in several states to combat Amazon's high injury rates by regulating exploitative productivity quotas.
Zohran Mamdani
The mayor of New York City, who may afford labor a unique opportunity to advance initiatives like the Teamsters' proposed Delivery Protection Act.
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.
