Two years after making history with a victory at a warehouse in New York City, the first labor union for Amazon workers in the United States finds itself in disarray, facing financial difficulties and internal divisions. The Amazon Labor Union, led by president Chris Smalls, has been struggling to maintain unity and progress after losing votes at two additional warehouses in Staten Island and upstate New York. The union, which still does not have a contract with Amazon, has been criticized for its organizing strategy, with some members feeling that Smalls spent too much time traveling and giving speeches instead of focusing on Staten Island.

Prominent members have resigned quietly or formed a dissident labor group, leading to a lawsuit against the union in federal court to force an election for new leadership. Amazon, on the other hand, has resisted efforts to come to the bargaining table, accusing the National Labor Relations Board and the ALU of improperly influencing the successful unionization vote. The company claims that the vote results do not represent the majority of employees' desires. Despite pressure from federal labor regulators, Amazon has not engaged in negotiations with the union.

In a recent development, a splinter group called A.L.U. Democratic Reform Caucus filed a lawsuit, leading to a court-brokered plan allowing rank-and-file members to vote on whether to hold an election for new officers. The vote, which took place over five days in early March, saw 60% of roughly 350 union members in favor of an officer election in June or July. However, the legal disputes and power struggles within the union continue.

The current leaders of the Amazon Labor Union claim that the union has run out of money, making it difficult to conduct an election. Attorney Jeanne Mirer argued that the court-brokered plan violated the union's constitution, requiring members to pass an amendment or arrange a constitutional convention before holding an officer election. Meanwhile, attorney Arthur Schwartz, representing the dissident caucus, called the union's legal claims baseless and noted that a neutral monitor has scheduled candidate nomination meetings for May, potentially leading to an internal election in June.

Former union leaders, including co-founder Connor Spence and former vice president Michelle Valentin Nieves, have thrown their hats in the ring for leadership positions. Spence, who was fired by Amazon for violating a company policy hindering organizing efforts, leads the A.L.U. Democratic Reform Caucus, while Valentin Nieves runs her own independent campaign. Valentin Nieves expressed frustration with Smalls' frequent travels and lack of focus on organizing the warehouse, emphasizing the need for a contract and building organization among Amazon workers.

One Amazon worker on Staten Island, Keanu Rivera, expressed his support for the union and highlighted the importance of maintaining hope and organization among workers. With internal divisions, financial challenges, and ongoing legal disputes, the future of the Amazon Labor Union remains uncertain as it continues to face resistance from Amazon and struggles to unite its members for collective bargaining.