Amazon Did Everything It Could to Bust the Staten Island Union. They Overcame It All.
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- Опубліковано 23 сер 2024
- It was one of the biggest labor wins in decades, against one of the most powerful companies in the world. On Friday, workers at Amazon's JFK8 facility in Staten Island voted to form a union. On the road to this victory, they faced terminations, arrests, and other obstacles set for them by Amazon's union-busting campaign.
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I grew up in a union home. We didn't have medical debt because of the kind of insurance my parent had because of their union job/ membership. When my other parent's franchise had financial troubles; the union membership bridged the relationship with the credit union to help at a reasonable rate. The electricity was always on, we had food, we lived modestly; but sustainably. When I needed school help- there were academic programs to tutor for no additional cost. When the 2008 crash happened and my union parent's 401K went from $200,000 down to $10,000; their pension (that they paid into and was matched by their employer) sustained them at retirement. And when my union member parent died; their pension benefits were handed to me and it helped me sustain my family during an economic down time.
Union work helps broadly for immediate families and generationally.
Solidarity forever
@@corpsefoot758 absolutely
unions are massive grifters who supports Democrats politicians and sell out their members and their country. Just because you get benefits doesn't justify the great corruption of the American labor unions. they aren't for America or really for you.
@@monember2722 If you think UNIONS drive corruption, let me tell you about corporate shareholders … lol
It’s not even close. But nice try pal
@@corpsefoot758 easily more corrupt then unions which says alot. They try to get us to work harder so rich people can have their yachts maintenance and aquire a 2nd Summer home.
This is collective power. Yes, outspoken & hardworking people led this battle, but that union election victory was the result of literally thousands of employees having the courage to vote YES. Making history--congratulations & thank you for the monumental effort.
#ThePeopleUnitedWillNeverBeDefeated
Amazon is hard working ? Lol you wouldn't last one day at my jobs we lift 50 lbs to 100lbs boxes of car parts all day lol yall wanna get paid the same as a weilder yall crazy spoiled entitled rats lol get yo ass to school if you want better pay weirdo
Solidarity forever!
Exactly so. It's a simple fact that a group of people, has more power than one person alone. This obvious fact is the basis of why any union exists.
the ṕeople united will be Eaten
And the cops are unionized, but arrest the union organizer anyway. Corporate monopolies and greed are destroying civilization
There is no capitalism without greed and monopolies 😸😸
100%
this is why cops are class traitors.
@@intifadayuri there is no socialism without authoritarianism and dictators
@@SamaelMoneyStein You can spread your lies all you want. You won't stop us from coming for our freedom. You can only hold people in chains for so long before they revolt, authoritarian. Stand with your slave system as long as you can. We will be free.
Unions are a lot like condoms.
If someone is really stubborn about how "you don't need one", you DEFINITELY need one.
Lmao
every large corporation should have a union period
Facts, if you’re against Unions you’re against working people.
@@youreokayboah2128 what about working people that don't get to join the union
@@SamaelMoneyStein they will always be exploited and screwed by the company. Their only hope is to form a union. The sooner the better.
I totally agree!
They wouldn’t need a union if they paid a living wage, addressed employees concerns and promised a good work life balance. But greed keeps this from happening.
Glad to see local workers fighting against large corporations and winning in spite of the odds.
A real life David vs Goliath victory. Whilst there is a huge feeling of empowerment for the working class, momentum should be taken advantage of. More unionization, across all industries!
Legend. Put his coworkers and his underlings needs first over and over at great personal cost. Great public speaker and great advocate. 😭 ❤️☮️ Love you man!!!!!!!!!
Those workers must elect him as the president of their union and pay him a wage equal to their pay. Given the illegal activities by the company you must prepare for a strike by building a emergency fund.
Agreed ! this bloke's a top banana.
I'll be honest with you guys, I worked for amazon for only 3 days until I quit and I'll tell you that Amazon needs to treat there employees better. Some may disagree but I've worked there and I've seen it, it's really bad. I now work for CVS as an operation manager but I'll never forget the rough job I experienced at Amazon in only 3 days. I don't know how people worked for months or years at amazon. They deserve everything they ask for because It's fair. Before I worked at Amazon, I use to think Amazon employees are spoiled for asking for more but after working at Amazon myself, I realized they're right!
That employee that instigated that confrontation should be ashamed of themselves.
I hate when idiots like that get to benefit from the work of the ones fighting to be treated better. If the “you should be happy for what you have” argument was used for everything, the average person wouldn’t have shit.
Probably got payed a little extra.
A few cents per hour added to her crumbs 😁
Yes, but of course he should have used his words more wisely! But they would probably have found another reason since he was on their list...
Yeah she was str8 scabbin'.
Amazon can afford it. Congratulations for the union win. 🇺🇸
All of the giant corporations can afford better safety, better hours, better pay & equality. Their greedy shareholders, looking for killer profits every quarter, will have to settle for moderate profits once Unions rise again throughout North America. The widening wealth gap has to be stopped then narrowed, big time.
@@kathypiazza4567 Yess!!
@@kathypiazza4567 i can never imagine being such a greedy fuck id throw a fit over over losing couple few thousands when im a literal billionaire. Like dude you are addicted to money
i never understood the people who vote no to having a union and more negotiating power with their employers
Same reason why people vote against universal healthcare. Misinformation
They've been indoctrinated by the corporations
Its more ignorance and fear. Plus with anti-union propaganda they get brain washed into thinking in a scarcity and compliance mind set like that worker that harassed the guy they fired. Companies like Amazon spend millions of dollars with lawyers and anti-union firms to stop outcomes like these from happening.
Propaganda
If your enemy is the biggest and most evil company on planet earth, they chose every tactic thats possible to stop you
This guy is a hero for standing up to Amazon.
I hope the unions keep popping up! These people are doing amazing work. But fuck so many people died and suffered because of Amazon warehouses it’s so >:0 fucking evil
Good template. Do this everywhere. Amazon should off course be unionised to get a proper power balance. Cheers to Christian Smalls.
I’m so proud of these guys ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾
See Chris smalls? Be like Chris small! #Unionize #Better4ALL
I really hope this spreads like wildfire. Go unions!
they might only in cities with brown people.
Yeah the cannabis industry needs unions too they do us dirty any chance they get
Go Unions? They fund the Democrats who flood the country with cheap non union labor
The problem of union busting started with that IRRATIONAL President Reagan who DID NOT THINK of the destructive domino effects that his firing of all Unionized Federal Government Flight Controllers because he does not want to listen to the LOGICAL AND JUST REQUESTS for higher safety standards and proper rotation of personnel to prevent human errors because of his ILLOGICAL AND IDIOTIC POLITICAL PRIDE! The result is that many corporations at that time are saying, IF THAT IDIOTIC PRESIDENT REAGAN CAN GET AWAY WITH HIS ILLEGAL UNION BUSTING BECAUSE HE IS HIDING BEHIND HIS PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY, THEN MAYBE WE CAN DO IT TOO! The result? Anti-Union Corporations started sprouting up here and there like weeds! I know that all unions has their own share of bad unions but using a small minority of bad unions as an excuse and pretext to destroy the majority of good unions so as to grab away their American dream and rightful benefits which George Westinghouse and Henry Ford has proven as right and is destroyed by a rotten politician regardless of political party is wrong! There was no union busting during WW II, though some went overboard on certain occasions, the New Deal Act made sure that the American Dream as promised by the "BILL OF RIGHTS" will have to be respected by all corporations regardless of their powerful political connections!
@@Max-qk3xi lol no your industry is struggling to pay you because legal weed is trash and the blackmarket stuff knocks it out everytime lmao 😂 learn about how your company is doing in the business world before you go and demanding them to pay you more
Knowledge is power and the fact that the workers were educated to know their rights speaks volumes....Congrats Chris Smalls on your leadership!!!
The money they were spending on union-busting they could have gave it to there workers 🤭
Exactly, it's utter stupidity. Paying higher wages from the get go would've given amazon better PR anyway...
It’s a matter of principle. Lower costs for consumers is paramount.
Smalls is a ledgend
CEO took a 200million bonus and then told us we cant have a bonus theres no extra money. Hes more than that!
When I was younger we all worked for small businesses. We learned so much how a business works , the connection with owners and customers , and more importantly discipline and hard work.
What do people get by working at these large corporations. They learn how to scan and pee in cup while their soul is hollowed out from the same old tedious activity day in and day out.
not much at all, these corporations bought out all the mom and pops, hence why these situations exist. the 'too big to fail' thing. unfettered capitalism, baby.
Too bad choices are limited now. The system allows Amazon to:
break anti-trust laws;
-destroy small businesses (including ones on its own platform, through stealing ideas, and ridiculous fees);
-grind its workers into the ground (sometimes literally);
-and it teaches us to prioritize convenience over solidarity.
For some, it's a matter of survival; they can't help but continue to support destructive monopolies b/c only they can offer the cheapest prices.
If push comes to shove, I hope we're all ready to not just boycott Amazon, but also MGM, and streaming services that pay AWS (Amazon Web Services) around 10M a month. We wouldn't even have to do it for that long before Beelzebub starts feeling the pain.
This battle is won, but the war is far from over.
Gerald Bryson was one of my basketball coaches when I was a kid.
Great story and "Sorry Gutter Bitch, I'm out here for you cuz you can't fight for yourself" should be a union recruitment rally cry nationwide lol
I worked for a company in a union with wonderful benefits… they closed and moved to an at will state… not because they were losing money but because they were more loyal to the shareholders than to the workers who made them a success… it seems no matter how hard a worker works or how loyal they will always be overhead and an expense that is expendable and unnecessary… if the company could go completely automated without human workers do you think they would?… so these objections to workers getting a fair share and safety while they can is insidious and borderline evil.!!!
With your small business do you have a union there? A union should make operating cost more expensive vs. not having a union. But I don't know because my small business I only had myself so no union.
@@donaldlyons17well yes because you don’t need unions in a small business because guess what the chances are the boss knows all the employees by name and is heavily reliant on them being loyal
Getting off Amazon ..it's like an addiction.. no more one day delivery. .we can help
I have a friend who worked for Amazon and their disabilities were made worse. She had to quit and is now participating in a case against Amazon. Best of luck to her, hope she kicks their ass.
This give me so much hope and actually consider amazon as a second job.
As a conservative I hate Amazon for what they do to small businesses. I will stand with allegiance even if it's with a side I don't agree with necessarily all in the name of seeing Amazon go down. This corporation needs to be broken and we will not stand silent. This is not a Democratic or republican thing
It's not a democratic or Republican thing, agreed. It's a working man versus rich man thing. The working man who needs to pay bills and meet rent and feed kids, versus the rich man who sits there and passively collects money.
I think it's impossible to simultaneously be a Christian and oppose unionization. Siding with the rich against the average Joe seems ridiculous. And especially with how aggressive these companies consolidate, it's a shame that there aren't more antitrust lawsuits. Amazon should definitely be broken up somehow, similar to standard oil.
@@sirllamaiii9708it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of god
@@crimsonsapphire6680 Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Republicans don't stand for your values, you have more in common with leftists of the working class than nationalists of the elite.
@@crimsonsapphire6680Not unless he has enough money to become a god.
#Solidarity!
Powerful. Victory. So proud of these men and their leadership. ICONIC! My mom is heavily involved in her union and was either Union Steward or President one year. She’s amazing and has advocated for Toledo city workers since I was in elementary school. 💕 We are stronger together. Facts. Thank you Father God Almighty for protecting and guiding your chosen soldiers as they bring together people for the right reasons. Whew. In Jesus name, Amen. Amazon warehouse opened in my hometown of Toledo, Ohio. Employing many of my old friends and their descendants or family. I pray they see these videos and know they are worthy of fair working conditions, safe work environments, and livable wages. Love to Toledo. 💕💕💕💕
In our country. Companies are not allowed to fight unions or talk about them on company property. It's illegal.
I remember Chris Smalls in the news. Keep fighting! We need people willing to take a risk.
Its kind of sad how making a living is such a luxury that you need to go through all this fuss just to get it
I didn't know about Gerald. Good on you man! Thank you Gerald for fighting for others.
I feel the best way to show that a company sucks ass is to simply not work for them , but thats just me
Money is money
Its not that simple
Really really happy for these employees.
Praise these heroes, workers united can't be defeated
Amazing victory!!! Beautiful
I don't know if it's cool to be proud of these brothers but I am. This is something that I didn't think would happen. And something that really didn't have to happen and Amazon should be embarrassed by all the did to stop it and still didn't. Should have listened to workers and not went out of there way to stop it. I'm convinced that had they made move or two that favored employees this wouldn't have happened. I m an Amazon employee and if they had given more money, longer or e extra breaks and stop standing so firm on the production requirements this wouldn't have happened. I m a picker that picks at or above rate consistently. Evey couple days someone comes to my station to tell me about something I did wrong but am not in trouble for. It's very motivating when I have 7 more hrs to work.
I respect the movement CHRIS SMALLS is doing....I SEE A MOVIE COMING
2,131?
It's frustrating trying to help people who don't want the help or even want to help themselves.
Jimmy Hoffa approved this message
Glad to see a victory against such a large business and hopefully people get inspired to stand up for fair treatment and wages. Recently I was disappointed to see my town award a 10 year tax deferral for Amazon to make a new fulfilment center in our town. I suggested spreading that deferment to small businesses and was essentially laughed at. Amazon is a massive employer and I get that but I feel like most communities and employees would benefit from small businesses and obtain more skills over their career then Amazon can provide.
If you ever think you’re not replaceable, that you have value to these companies, just look up what the National Amazon turnover rate is. 150% turnover. Literally means that for every 10 people that stay a full year at the company, 15 people quit within their first year. That’s an insane metric and goes to show how easy it is for these companies to find fresh blood. They don’t want to hold onto you, because then you’ll expect more out of your employment.
And it’s working for them. And also for me as the consumer
Solidarity with everyone who’s part of ALU from fellow union members in the UK
Solidarity from a worker trying to organise in the UK!
Props to these lawyers too.
If you have not seen Sally Field in Norma Rae, you owe it to yourself. I lived on SI 32 years and to this day once in a while, pass this building. Good job, employees!
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH, I'M SO PROUD OF THEM 😭
I left on leave at the beginning of the pandemic bc I didn't see anything done about precautions for us. I returned after I saw it was safe to go back
Black history!
Jeez it's like we're in 1932 again
Well done! Proud of you! Winning especially against all their pressure tactics is remarkable!
Yes Unionize! Unionize! Unionize Amazon !
CEO got a $200,000,000 bonus and gave his Employees a 0 bonus for chirstmas. Why not Unionize ? Scrooge?
May this set a sweeping precedent. It's long past due! 🔥
Way to go , so happy for u guys , union r placed to protect the employees, stand up stand up for ur rights , don’t give up the fight.
Solidarity forever 🌹
I’m in WA state at BF9 fulfillment center.. we need this how could I spread awareness?
James brown :people people we got to get over before we go Under
This shit got a mf emotional
Keep up the good work ✊
Not sure why you would wanna go back in the building, you know Amazon
is gonna make it rough for you to work there.
The video: "Amazon is doing ILLEGAL THINGS, VERY ILLEGALLY, VERY ILLEGAL THINGS, AMAZON IS DOING"
The police: "I am arresting this homeless man because he is black instead of dealing with Amazon"
I didn’t know you could be fired for vulgar language.
This is crazy this is barely coming to light. I been a warehouse worker for 12 years it’s been like this everywhere. In Cali we have been working especially after covid 12-16 hours 6 days a week it’s pathetic. We have a union to local 439 teamsters that have 6 farms that’s what we call the companies in the unions but they sometimes are in ties with the company not the workers. People always say oh well your making money with all that overtime but with our productivity we have to maintaining it’s not worth your body and missing your kids grow up. I’m finishing up becoming an electrician can’t wait to leave the warehouse life and never look back
i used to work in DYY6 in staten island and it was hell
Chris Smalls, my hero!
Even if Smalls should have been allowed on the property, transpassing is fairly clear-cut - he could could have easily not be arrested in that specific instance. I admire his persistence.
This is some 1984 stuff, Big Brother's telling you what to think and do.
Solidarity forever!
Good job JFK8
“If one, the biggest-Amazon, can be beat anyone can be beat”
Those workers who tell ya to appreciate your exploitation 🤦♂️ so dumb
I heard from an ex-employee who worked there said they work you to death.
You mean they actually expect production. Well it's a union shop now nothing will get done
@@michaelknight8243 Working people to death vs getting done is two different things.
it boggles my mind how people left or right will say unions are bad. why is fair representation in the work place bad? Why should I fear going to work and coming home injured?
Don't forget to give status coup their props
*The Intercept Amazon Listening from Mass USA TYVM 💙*
I have food to bring for Union organizing efforts.
We won’t get 2 day shipping no more?
CEOs didn’t build the middle class, unions did!
They can hire me to represent them and talk with Amazon, I’m VERY expensive and only getting more expensive!
CEO took a 200million bonus and then told us we cant have a bonus theres no extra money.
"I used to be a Union Organizer, Right to work law & temp services has killed unions ability to control the work place".
Solidarity forever
Union membership has never been lower in US history.
I'm all for unions but $30 an hour for 8000 workers sounds a bit unrealistic unless it's just an bargaining position.
That corporate propaganda is disgusting
The same issue found at amazon were the same issue found at the GAP ODC Distribution plant up in fishkill NY. You wouldnt believe how such companies treat their core work force. And how their systems of ranking see's to benefits for increased labor and meeting crazy quota margins fall to those not doing the actual work but rather to those higher up the ladder. A pyramid scheme where all the money and benefits go up and not down. And all that the company gives to those doing the real work is shameful acts such as.. "hey today if you guys meet our 3,000 item quota we will give you all free pizza" unbelievable!!!!. And keep in mind, these companies are ran by people, so its people who consider themselves above others deserving more and seeing those doing the hard labor as simply grunts not worth anything. And yet, if those so called grunts stop working than the company cant function. So what we truly have is a system of bias privilege and wickedness. SO much of these standards came from business models seen in China. how to get the most out of people all the while giving them nothing in return. Focusing on stock margins and profits instead of the people. And to make matters worse, these companies talk the sweet talk about trying to favor the employees, while in secret they have employed teams of engineers to convert their factories into robotic automation. taking the human worker out of the loop all together. downsizing the human staff so that the great majority of profits fall in the hands of the few. These are those who setup such systems of exploitation, when all its takes is just being fair. but no.. people are addicted to greed. And figure screw everyone. and yet these people are looked upon as GOOD PEOPLE. while the down trotted worker who keep the companies afloat are looked down upon.
DNJ7 Where you @? ✊
(Step Van Driver here)
Let's see what Bezos Post and their prestitutes say about this.
Haha yeah, I wonder in the bezos-owned washington post reported on this union victory lol
If people would have to suffer and solve their problems like this than why the heck we have these lawmakers in the congress paid by people tax money. But the get bribed by the big corporations in the form of lobbying and they stand with them against the very people whome they took oath to protect and serve. Its just pathetic .
Keep fighting!
So proud of those two!! If Amazon can be beat than any Corporation can!! Remember those words!!
Bravo Christian(& Derek)✌🏾💯🖤🙏🏽 #keepgoinggiftedintelligentstrongblessedblackkings👑✊🏽#justiceandequality4all #justiceonalllevelscorporateincluded!! #workersmakecorporationsGO #truestatement #livesandhumanrightsoverpolitics.. #spreadlovenothate #JesusisRealandLove❤️🙏🏽🌎
Amazon guy get a 2nd opinion on which Union you guys want ( the Best teamster international pay rate to scale UPS $40 a hr
There are A Lot of Amazon bots in these comments...I'm not surprised but damn why not just put that money and effort into actually paying your employees? 🤷 But Jeff Bezos and his lackies have no respect for human life....absolutely disgusting
This is an example of the power being with the people, Alhumdulilah.
HR ALWAYS acts like that
Enjoy your new daddy, he will take great care of himself for sure.
Proud of you guys how can these companies owners sleep while their workers are suffering is beyond me
It should be completely illegal for a corporation to do ANYTHING at all anti union, to discourage a union in any way or have videos, leaflets or training seminars to that effect
The 'what are you doing to keep us safe?' complaint came up at the Amazon building I work at. But, our building was already following health department guidelines and providing free masks, hand sanitizer everywhere. The only unsafe thing was that people kept grouping up to chat on their way to and from break. The same people that would have formed a union. So, that complaint kind of fell apart. People still call for a union now and then (usually on the bulletin boards for communicating with management LOL), but nobody every DOES anything to make it happen.
Sadly, the union's other complaints, of too short break times, non-livable (and non-competitive) wages, and a high-pressure work environment are valid here, too. And systemic to Amazon. Turnover is crazy. Most people don't last more than 6 months before leaving (usually for something better). Even managers don't stay in their position for more than a year or so before they move on to another position within the company. And that, I think, is the root of the problem. The leadership is constantly in flux. As soon as a manager (of any level) gets good at their job, they move on to something else.
So, I wish this union the best of luck and hope they survive or even succeed. The management needs to learn that they can't use people as a stepping stone without some repercussions.