Teamsters Win NLRB Ruling Against Amazon — Bigger Legal Test Ahead

The Teamsters secured a procedural victory this week when an NLRB administrative law judge ordered Amazon to recognize a group of employees at the company’s DCK6 facility in San Francisco. ALJ Michael P. Silverstein relied on the National Labor Relations Board’s 2023 Cemex precedent to find that Amazon committed an unfair labor practice by declining to recognize the union after workers presented authorization cards.

What the ALJ Found

According to the decision, a majority of Tier 1 associates at DCK6 signed authorization cards in October 2024 expressing their wish to affiliate with the Teamsters. Union representatives attempted to deliver a letter and the cards to site manager Adam Carr on October 2, 2024; the judge’s report says Carr refused to accept the letter and the Teamsters representative ultimately left it at his feet after coworkers spoke in support of organizing.

When Amazon did not recognize the union and also declined to file an RM petition (which would trigger a secret-ballot representation election), ALJ Silverstein concluded the company violated the National Labor Relations Act under the Cemex framework. The judge emphasized he was following board precedent rather than issuing a discretionary ruling.

“This is the first case litigated after Cemex alleging the commission of an unfair labor practice simply because the employer did not file an RM-petition and declined to recognize the union upon the presentation of a demand for recognition... Because I am compelled to follow the Board’s guidance… I find that Amazon has violated the (NLRB) Act as alleged in the complaint.”

Reactions And Next Steps

The Teamsters welcomed the ruling and said they will push to ensure compliance. Amazon has said it will appeal and expressed confidence a court will reverse the decision, arguing the Teamsters do not represent employees at that site or any Amazon facility.

Legal observers warn the ALJ decision may be only the first stage. If Amazon appeals, the full NLRB could review the ruling. Because a potential Republican majority on the board could reverse Biden-era precedents, the Cemex standard that allows recognition based on majority card signings is at risk of being overturned in favor of the older Linden Lumber standard, which allows employers to require secret-ballot elections.

Broader Legal Context

Cemex has already faced legal and administrative setbacks: the Sixth Circuit in March ruled the NLRB exceeded its authority with Cemex, and an internal agency memo that had supported Cemex was rescinded by an acting general counsel. Nonetheless, ALJ Silverstein’s order did not cite that memo, suggesting it did not alter his application of the board precedent in this case.

Separately, the Teamsters point to an April NLRB order that required Amazon to bargain with the union at a Staten Island facility where rank-and-file workers previously won a secret-ballot election; union representatives say bargaining there has produced little progress.

What To Watch

• Whether Amazon appeals the ALJ ruling and how quickly the case moves to the full NLRB or federal court.
• Confirmation of NLRB nominees and whether a Republican majority will be able to overturn the Cemex precedent.
• How this ruling affects organizing strategies—card-check recognition versus secret-ballot elections—across other employers and industries.

For now, the ALJ order is a procedural win for the Teamsters at DCK6, but the ultimate legal status of card-based recognition remains uncertain pending appeals and potential changes at the full NLRB.