Inside the Historic Amazon Union Vote: 'I Think This Will Be Like a Fire Starter'

[PoliticAverse]

From the day she stepped foot into the Amazon warehouse, Jennifer Bates could tell this was going to be a difficult job. Bates works in the fulfillment center in Bessemer, AL, where she says she works long, physically-challenging shifts with short breaks. Other employees have reported needing to meet demanding production quotas, with Amazon closely tracking time spent going to the bathroom or getting water. It was these conditions that prompted Bates to help organize the company’s biggest unionization effort since Amazon was founded more than 25 years ago.

Currently, 5,800 Bessemer warehouse workers—many of whom are Black and women—are voting on whether they want to become the first U.S. Amazon employees to unionize, a groundbreaking moment that could set off a domino effect of organizing across the company. Below, in her own words, Bates shares how her co-workers got here—and what they’re still fighting for.

That first week at the Amazon warehouse was rough. My sister, who worked there before me, told me it would get worse. But I hung in there. I thought maybe I was just too new at the job. I thought maybe it would get better.

But as time went on I realized that wasn’t going to happen.

Read the rest at: https://health-beauty-advice.com/2021/02/27/inside-the-historic-amazon-union-vote-i-think-this-will-be-like-a-fire-starter/

[OAITW r.2.0]

1. This has to happen.

And it is in Amazon's long term interests to embrace and support Unions. We are a consumer based economy and Amazon's future is having Amazon customers having a basic income level that can keep Amazon profitable.

[Bluethroughu]

2. Union, Yes!

Collective bargaining is in everyones' best interest.

I hope they make it happen.

[mountain grammy]

3. that company is making one man a multi billionaire

No one who works there should make less than $50/hour with benefits including a generous pension. It's called redistributing the fucking wealth to the people without whom there'd be none.

[orleans]

4. i'm still stuck on the four story building and not allowing employees to use the elevator

but the merchandise can use the elevator

and ten hour work days and two 30 minute breaks

and then thinking about those stories that came out a few yrs ago where delivery drivers were using pee jars in the truck b/c there was no time to stop somewhere and use a fucking toilet!

but the fact that people can order their crap and get it the next day is too enticing to get people to even consider slowing down their purchases from amazon (the me-me-mes; let them pee in their vans, let them climb up and down stairs all day, let them not rest--who cares as long as i get my shit tomorrow)

i hope this union comes about and spreads everywhere amazon does business

[Myrddin]

5. +1000 n/t