On March 20, Local 108 RWDSU / UFCW and other locals joined a rally for an Amazon workers union drive. The rally was organized by Local 108 outside Whole Foods Market in Newark. Whole Foods is owned by Amazon.
Local 108 President Charles N. Hall Jr. released a statement as follows: “Having a union at Amazon would give workers the right to collectively bargain over working conditions including items such as safety standards, training, breaks, pay, benefits, and other important issues that would make our workplace better. Amazon sometimes addresses issues at work but it’s all temporary.
“A union contract is in writing, negotiated upon, and Amazon would need to legally follow the guidelines and there are mechanisms to hold them legally accountable to workers. There’s no other way to have this type of relationship with Amazon outside of having a union.”
Hall also added what workers at Amazon can improve with a union:
· SAFER WORKING CONDITIONS: The record on Amazon’s dehumanizing working conditions is well established. Nineteen workers have died at Amazon facilities since 2013. Workers face outrageous work quotas that have left many with illnesses and lifetime injuries. With a union contract, workers can form a worker safety committee, and negotiate the highest safety standards and protocols for their workplace.
· JUST-CAUSE INSTEAD OF AT-WILL: All workers are considered “At-Will” employees and can be fired for any reason or no reason at all. When workers unionize, workers will become “Just Cause” employees, which means workers can only be fired or disciplined if management can demonstrate and justify to us how workers violated company policy. Furthermore, workers could call on the union to help mediate or file charges on workers behalf if they don’t feel that management is following the rules.
· GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES: When workers disagree with a write up or a termination, they currently have no mechanism to challenge it except to go to Human Resources. With a union, workers will be able to file a grievance. When workers file a grievance, management has to prove that there was a good reason that the discipline occurred. This acts as a way to hold management accountable if necessary.
If workers are united and join the union, they can protect their rights and protect themselves. The next Amazon union rally will be on April 2
