"the memo proposed that Amazon should create and foster partnerships with local nonprofits and community organizations that company officials hoped would “provide political cover for local policymakers, neutralize organized labors’ attempts to grow their coalition of third-party validators and spokespeople, and provide a platform for Amazon spokespeople and allies to speak of the true economic and social impact of Amazon in Southern California.”

It's an isolate and destroy campaign. Hiring students and ex-inmates (who will both probably tolerate more exploitation than average employees without speaking up), does not impact Amazon's bottom line nearly as much as unionized workers would. If enough people wind up thinking Amazon provides a net benefit to the communities it operates in then it will help silence those who want unions, tax reforms, or just less corporate welfare.

The teamsters don't look bad so much as they appear to have been badly outplayed by a smart opponent.