Strong winds, new enclosures, and police presence did not deter Amazon Labor Union members and their supporters from gathering for a rally at the company’s JFK-8 warehouse in Staten Island, New York on Monday evening. “Organizing Amazon is labor’s greatest challenge of the 21st century and it’s a fight that the rank and file workers of Amazon will win,” stated Sultana Hossein, former Amazon employee and current recording secretary for Amazon Labor Union Local 1.
In late August of this year, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) struck down Amazon’s challenge of ALU’s union election, upholding the successful election results of the union drive that took place in 2022. This comes after a string of other NLRB cases that have not gone in Amazon’s favor. As a result, Amazon has joined SpaceX and Trader Joe’s in filing a lawsuit against the NLRB, claiming that the organization’s structure is unconstitutional. If these corporations are successful, the suit has the potential to radically change labor law in the United States. The ALU has also formed new partnerships, joining the International Brotherhood of Teamsters last month.
In anticipation of the rally, Amazon set up an enclosure on the street where the rally was scheduled to take place. The fence was labeled with signs stating “solicitation on premises by non-employees is strictly prohibited.” The NYPD made an appearance and urged organizers to stop the event. ALU’s lawyer Arthur Schwartz deescalated the situation and the event proceeded as planned.
Speakers for the event included current and former JFK-8 workers, representatives from Amazon’s recently unionized Queen’s warehouse, and organizers for the Teamsters. Jumaane Williams, New York City Public Advocate, was scheduled to speak, but was unable to attend. Schwartz delivered a statement on his behalf. “I understand that one tactic Amazon is undertaking is to work with the NYPD officers to disrupt your organizing efforts. I have made my position known to the NYPD: stay out of this righteous fight,” the statement read.
Most important to the speakers was the demand that Amazon meet with the union to begin contract negotiations. Another chief concern was the high rates of employee turnover. According to ALU president Connor Spence, Amazon’s Staten Island warehouses, which employ 10,000 people, have turnover rates of 150 percent. Spence said the average time an employee lasts at Amazon is eight months. Furthermore, speakers demanded greater workplace safety in light of the injuries and deaths that have occurred at warehouses across the country. Amazon workers at the rally told Pavement Pieces that surgeries as a result of workplace injuries were common. “They [Amazon] value their one team approach until you fall down and then they step right over you,” said Tristan Martinez, ALU organizer and Amazon employee of six years.
In addition to frequent injuries, workers cited poor accommodations, sick leave policies, and high health care premiums. “You can see pregnant women [working] at eight months, when you talk to them [and say] ‘What are you doing here? You should be at home!’ You know what they would tell you? ‘If I go home they’re gonna give me only 60 percent of my paycheck. I cannot pay my rent,’” ALU vice president Brima Sylla told the crowd.
Brima Sylla speaking at the rally. (Photo by Emma Lucía Llano.)
Tiffany, an Amazon worker and mother of five who did not want to disclose her full name, told Pavement Pieces that she opts out of dental coverage because she cannot afford to pay for the insurance premium in addition to her other bills. “Here we’re making them all this money… In two shifts I pick almost 5,000 [products],” she continued, “And then all they want to say is ‘Oh great work, oh here’s a pen.’ That’s not enough.” Amazon, which is currently valued at nearly two trillion dollars, pays its New York employees an average of $18.31 an hour before benefits deductions, according to ZipRecruiter. According to MIT, the living hourly wage in New York City for a single adult with no children is $33.31.
Amazon Labor Union also debuted their brand new Union Hall located within walking distance of JFK-8. The hall will serve as a meeting and organizing space for Amazon union members and Teamster organizers. Both the rally and the open house garnered support from Amazon workers and allies of varying ages, races, and political leanings. Despite Amazon’s years long court battles, Amazon workers appear united in their fight for a union contract. In the words of Amazon worker and organizer Pasquale Cioffi, “All politics and bullshit aside, we got to kick Amazon’s ass.”
Pasquale Cioffi speaking at the rally. (Photo by Emma Lucía Llano.)
