Media that empowers working people – that's how we build a More Perfect Union.

Don't Miss a Video!

Access our exclusive reporting and rapid response actions directly in your inbox, so you don’t miss a beat in the fight for working people nationwide.

Be a part of a community backing up independent journalism with action.

Ideas

Have a story to tell or idea to share?
Email [email protected]
© 2021 More Perfect Union Action

Together we can build power for working people.

We’re asking questions that really matter, and telling the stories of people who really need to be seen and heard.

You can support our work by donating today.

Amount

Make It Monthly

Don't Miss a Video!

Access our exclusive reporting and rapid response actions directly in your inbox, so you don’t miss a beat in the fight for working people nationwide.

Be a part of a community backing up independent journalism with action.

Staten Island Warehouse Workers Win First Amazon Union in the U.S.

Their grassroots organizing overcame extreme union-busting, harassment, and arrests to become the first in Amazon history.

In a historic victory, Amazon workers in Staten Island won their election to form the first U.S. Amazon union. Amazon Labor Union workers at the JFK8 warehouse overcame extreme union-busting to make history.

The union grew out of a walkout when Amazon exposed workers to Covid in March 2020. Amazon ignored their demands and fired the workers who led the strike. Inspired by Alabama Amazon workers, Amazon Labor launched a campaign to unionize their warehouse.

Chris Smalls, who led the 2020 walkout, was fired and smeared by Amazon. Unafraid, Smalls took the fight to Jeff Bezos. The union set up shop in the JFK8 parking lot, hosting what was virtually a 24/7 organizing rally.

Immediately, Amazon began aggressively busting the union. When workers held a cook-out, Amazon called the Fire Department. After workers met in a grassy area, Amazon built a fence with a “beware of dog” sign.

Amazon Labor Union organizers defied harassment and even arrests. Amazon enlisted NYPD to arrest organizers. Police told workers, “We won, you lost.”

But despite all of Amazon’s illegal union-busting, the workers prevailed, and they’re not done. A second warehouse will vote at the end of April. Few people thought they’d win this election. Now, anything is possible.

Support their solidarity fund here.

Related Stories

YouTube Thumbnail
Amazon Is Covering Up Worker Deaths
Read More
YouTube Thumbnail
Chicago Amazon Workers Lead First-Ever Multi-Warehouse Walkouts
Read More

The Latest

YouTube Thumbnail
We Talked To Bernie Sanders and Ilhan Omar About Universal School Meals
Read More
YouTube Thumbnail
The ‘No Labels’ Third Party Bid That Could Sabotage Trump and Biden
Read More
Pharma & Crypto Among Winners as Revolving Door Spins From Congress
Read More
YouTube Thumbnail
Medicaid Work Requirements: We Exposed the TRUE Cost of Republicans’ Top Priority
Read More
Poll: The Public Overwhelmingly Supports the Writers’ Strike
Read More
YouTube Thumbnail
How America Can Stop Dangerous Train Derailments
Read More
YouTube Thumbnail
How Milton Friedman Broke The American Economy
Read More
YouTube Thumbnail
How Food Delivery Apps Are Trying to Kill a Worker Uprising
Read More
YouTube Thumbnail
Public Education Is A Mess. This Candidate Has A Plan to Clean It Up.
Read More
YouTube Thumbnail
How CEOs Manipulate the Stock Market
Read More
YouTube Thumbnail
How Starbucks Just Broke the Law (Again)
Read More
YouTube Thumbnail
DHL Express Workers Expose Gruesome Working Conditions
Read More
YouTube Thumbnail
How Right-Wing Grifters Are Destroying Public Schools
Read More
Inside UPS’s New Business Strategy: Executive Pay Skyrockets As Infrastructure Investment Dwindles
Read More
YouTube Thumbnail
Inside a Major Climate Fight in Oil Country
Read More
YouTube Thumbnail
Sun Country Airline Workers Vote To Unionize—Management Fought Back
Read More
YouTube Thumbnail
Why Hollywood Writers Are Going On Strike
Read More
YouTube Thumbnail
How Jack Welch Broke America
Read More
YouTube Thumbnail
This Grocery Giant Stole Millions From Their Workers
Read More
Revealed: The Corporations Mobilizing to Defeat Biden’s Labor Secretary Nominee
Read More