Amazon allocated more than $26 million to anti-union labor consultants during 2025, as revealed by new federal disclosure forms. This staggering sum represents the largest expenditure of its kind ever reported by a United States employer within a single calendar year.
Consultant Payments Exceed Worker Wages
Filings submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor indicate that Amazon engaged at least six specialized firms to assist in defeating union organizing campaigns. The company issued hundreds of payments throughout the year, with each averaging over $56,000. Notably, this average payment surpasses the annual wage of a typical Amazon warehouse employee.
Amazon's Justification for the Spending
When questioned about the substantial financial outlay, an Amazon spokesperson defended the company's actions. Eileen Hards explained via email that Amazon was merely attempting to counteract misinformation disseminated by labor unions.
"Last year, the Teamsters and other groups worked really hard and spent a lot of money to spread misinformation," Hards stated. "We think it's important that our teammates and partners understand the truth, so we've continued to work with experts in the field who are able to share objective facts about what it actually means to have an organization like the Teamsters speak for you."
Historical Context and Industry Practices
Amazon has engaged in prolonged battles against unionization efforts led by the Teamsters, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, and other labor organizations. Initially concentrated at fulfillment centers, these campaigns have expanded to include distribution hubs and subcontracted driver networks.
U.S. employers commonly hire "persuaders" to discourage employees from unionizing. As detailed in a 2023 investigative series, companies typically pay more than $1,000 daily per consultant, often through obscure limited-liability companies. Both employers and consultants are legally mandated to report these expenditures to the Labor Department.
Record-Breaking Expenditure
While Amazon has incurred significant anti-union costs in previous years—$14 million in 2022 and nearly $13 million in 2024—the 2025 total of $26.3 million establishes a new benchmark. However, it remains uncertain whether this constitutes the largest corporate expenditure ever, as totals are self-reported and many employers fail to disclose them.
Expert Analysis and Union Response
Bob Funk, executive director of LaborLab, a nonprofit monitoring the anti-union consulting industry, characterized Amazon's spending as "huge." He emphasized that federal filings typically exclude expenditures on labor attorneys who contest union campaigns through the National Labor Relations Board, which often involve higher costs.
"It's at least the biggest report that's ever come in, but it's probably just a fraction of what they've spent on the overall campaign," Funk observed. "If anyone says workers at Amazon aren't interested in organizing, I think those numbers show otherwise."
Ongoing Union Struggles
Workers at Amazon's JFK8 fulfillment center in New York City made history in 2022 by voting to join the Amazon Labor Union, which later affiliated with the Teamsters. Despite this milestone, Amazon has refused to bargain with the union four years later, contesting the legitimacy of the union victory through the labor board and federal court.
Connor Spence, president of the ALU, conveyed to supporters via email that organizing Amazon represents "the greatest challenge facing our labor movement today."
"Amazon's greed, surveillance, and speed-hungry algorithms are models that corporations across industries are seeking to emulate for profit," Spence asserted.
A Teamsters spokesperson was unavailable for immediate comment on Wednesday regarding Amazon's latest disclosures.
