Amazon Labor Union town hall, and the fight for recognition 

By Gabriel Acevedo

As the holiday season approaches, many consumers are ready to hop on Amazon and purchase everything they need for their loved ones. As easy as it is to one click your Wishlist, it is also important to remember the Amazon laborers who are able to bring us our packages to the door. 

On November 14 at the College of Staten Island, the Amazon Labor Union hosted a town hall to discuss the first union in Amazon’s history. The town hall featured important figures such as Amazon Labor Union president Chris Smalls, Managing Partner Rahsaan Cummings, and director of grievances Chermo Toure. 

At the town hall, the representatives were able to discuss their history, the protests they have organized, and more importantly, the fight to be acknowledged officially by Amazon. Smalls stressed in the event how important it is for the labor union to get a contract from Amazon. Not only could it prevent many incidents in the warehouse from happening, but it can push other warehouses in the United States to unionize, following the Staten Island one. 

“Our main focus is to make a contract, and to do that we need to bring Amazon to the table,” remarks Toure, “And everytime they have not responded.” Toure states that with a contract, the Amazon Labor Union can have more executive power and ensure Amazon listens to the workers. 

The town hall meeting not only highlighted Amazon workers, but also ensured that people know their rights in the workforce. Most notably, the Amazon labor union discussed their recent support of the Warehouse Worker Protection Act. 

Also known as Assembly Bill A10020A, the bill requires distribution centers to disclose work speed data to current and former employees and educates them about their performance and workplace rights. The bill also protects workers from disciplinary action of termination exclusively on the grounds of “undisclosed speed quotes or quotas that do not allow for proper breaks.”(source: dol.ny.gov) “The law prevents the managers from writing people up for quotas,” stated Toure.

Despite this, the Amazon labor union and Amazon workers still face an uphill battle. Toure notes that Amazon “bypasses the laws” and does not follow up with the warehouse protection act. Toure also calls out representatives showing up to union protests but not passing laws to protect such unions. Most notably, Joe Biden’s visit to the United Auto Workers picket line to support their strike against major carmakers. 

“If they don’t pass any laws then there’s no need to come,” remarks Toure, “They’re doing it for their own benefits, their optics. Joe Biden has the power to push for more union laws, but he doesn’t. He only goes there to push for his approval rating.”

As many head to Amazon to purchase their gifts, Toure leaves consumers with one message: “Think about who brings you your packages. Think about who’s driving and packing your order out.”