9 Apr 2022

Prof John Logan: Amazon and the US union movement

From Saturday Morning, 10:05 am on 9 April 2022
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Photo: Supplied

Workers at an Amazon warehouse on Staten Island made history last week when they voted to form the company’s first ever US union since it was founded nearly 30 years ago. The success of the grassroots Amazon Labor Union flies in the face of the retail giant’s efforts to squash union drives, which includes spending more than $US4.3 million just on anti-union consultants last year.

The win also follows union victories at six Starbucks coffee shops in Buffalo, which were also won by worker-led organisations. Professor John Logan, who teaches labour studies at San Francisco State University says it is an astounding result, and could signal a comeback for organised labour in the United States.

Union organizer Christian Smalls celebrates with Amazon workers following their win.

Union organizer Christian Smalls celebrates with Amazon workers following their win. Photo: AFP