My understanding of the article and numbers goes like this.

Amazon was planning on putting their 2nd corporate headquarters in Long Island City. These are white collar executives, programmers, etc., which I assume on average earn $130,000 yr. They are not factory or fulfillment center employees making $18 hour. Granted, the construction folks and unionized plumbers, electricians earn good money, which is why several unions were supportive of the Amazon deal. It would have been great for their union members.

So, you now ask, why the issue of pushing for the ability to unionize the NY location when virtually no one there earns the minimum wage of $18 hour. Because, once you establish the precedent of a unionized workforce, then any or all of the Amazon facilities would have the right to unionize. Including all the fulfillment centers located in blue states and inner cities.

Agree or disagree?

The point, I believe, is that Amazon, having refused to unionize (apparently unions require $18ph minimum wage) was a sticking point with the politicians, who apparently didn't or weren't smart enough to realize that people at the level of income being offered don't NEED a union. As far as using unions for construction, im sure New York city is like Chicago- nothing gets built without the unions, because union workers are required by building codes or something.....which is crazy, but wh**ever....