Amazon has just lost a crucial battle in fighting unionization efforts as the company will now be compelled to recognize a Union for the Amazon warehouse in Staten Island, NY. The Amazon Labor Union (ALU) won a massive victory against the America’s second largest employer.
The victory was an uphill battle for the independent group, made up of former and current workers who lacked official backing from an established union, and were out-gunned by the deep-pocketed retail giant. 
Despite obstacles, organizers believed their grassroots approach was more relatable to workers and could help them overcome where established unions have failed in the past. Out of the approximately 8,000 workers at the plant, the Amazon Labor Union vote was approved by a tally of 2,654 to 2,131.
However, results in a parallel union vote in Alabama might not fare as well. Regulators released a statement on Thursday that workers at the Bessemer warehouse in Alabama voted 993 to 875 against joining the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union. Over 400 challenged ballots still need to be counted, which might alter the outcome.
Attention will now turn to workers in other warehouses, and beyond for Amazon. The tension these segmented votes can make on the ecosystem of Amazon should not be understated. The warehouse giant has intensely complex logistic systems that rely on all their parts functioning properly. If a few different warehouses decide to take a vote, it can cascade into a multi-national movement that has the ability to impede the behemoth of retail.
