Amazon workers have filed a notice to hold a unionization vote at a fulfillment center in Bessemer, Alabama. They’re aiming to form a 1,500 worker strong bargaining unit with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).
There are 400,000 Amazon warehouse workers in the United States. If the workers succeed in getting a majority vote for the union, they will be the first of many warehouse workers who will finally have a say over safety standards, training, breaks, and pay at their workplace.
The union is focused on improving working conditions which have caused the deaths of 19 workers at Amazon facilities since 2013. RWDSU also aims to put an end to the “fire-at-will” policy currently in place for warehouse workers.
Amazon will no doubt carry out a ruthless campaign against the union. An investigation by Vice News recently revealed that the company has long employed full-time spies to root out and crush organizing on the job. Company CEO Jeff Bezos doesn’t want to share the $70 billion he’s made since March while 20,000 of ‘his’ workers have come down with COVID. But with courage and determination, the workers can carry the day.