Chimichanga007
120730
3572
63
A workers' victory here could spread throughout the notoriously anti-worker company.
signs put up in warehouse by management
Trying to intimidate workers
In the break room
Amazon made a website to fight the union
Myramills
Vote Yes!
florpglorp
This really shows how hustle culture is just exploitation of working people
TheSealcubclubbingclub
CpnCanada
Whenever I think my boss is feeding me a line i ask myself "if i believe them, what do they stand to gain."
galll11
United we stand, divide we fall. As a union you're stronger than those that want to keep you down,To hell w/those trying to keep people down
galll11
Its fucking pathetic that Amazon is trying and putting money towards keeping the hard working people from having a better value of living
ace5762
Jesus this is fucking despotic. Fuck amazon.
Xerrai
Walmart was like this back when i worked there. Had to sign a paper saying you wouldnt join a union and anti union video was shown at hiring
Slockhart42
Same for Target circa 2010
RednapxpandeR
Former employee here. Fuck them. I’ve never been treated so badly in my life at a job
unnecessaryweevil
Fuck the bourgeoisie. Please for the love of God, unionize!
JudgementalChair
Amazon has probably spent more money fighting unions at this point than if they had just come up with an amicable agreement to begin with
ProfessorSoup
If I were a worker in that warehouse who was on the fence, those signs would push me to vote Yes.
TheAnswerWasAlwaysMoreLube
When the union's inspiration through the workers' blood shall run,
There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun
TheAnswerWasAlwaysMoreLube
Yet what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one
But the union makes us strong!
szepasszony
Solidarity forever!
LordNergal
The website: https://www.doitwithoutdues.com/ There is a page to report people for union activity. Let's spam it with bullshit!
somethingsomethingaskingforafriend
I shared this with them https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/02/amazon-pay-617-million-settle-ftc-charges-it-withheld-some
Saxytimes
Done. I told them to go fuck themselves
IIikethecutofyourjib
ImpeachTheRump
Fuck bezos.. unionize and take some pennies from his piggy bank.
PineappleIsDeliciousOnPizzaFightMe
The "win as one" sign is a bit ironic
datester35
Wait but like, if they already have $15 minimum wage across Amazon, then how would a Union help?
TheMadOnion
Because $15 an hour matters when they're treated like glorified slaves while on shift. There's more reasons to unionized than just wages.
SomeDetroitGuy
Working conditions are horrible at Amazon. That's the biggest issue.
datester35
Yeah that would definitely be helped
ChakLee
bargaining for real bathroom breaks, work injury insurance, whatever. If the union is useless, Amazon wouldn't give a shit.
datester35
That makes a lot more sense
lauracroft
Walmart did the same shit when I worked there back in the day. I’m sure they still do.
pyth151
Unionized my workplace in 2019. Went from 20/hr no benefits to 51/hr full benefits. Unionize folks. The propaganda is shit. Benefit is real.
TheGracefulDead
They also sent out a letter from a "concerned employee" smearing unions
Dreddguy
If you tolerate this. Then your children will be next. - The Stereophonics
hygroovy
That's the Manic Street Preachers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX8szNPgrEs
Dreddguy
Crikey! What a dolt I am. And I'm from Wales.
AboutAMonth
Fuck Amazon
UncleRat
No company has ever given workers something for free. Workers earn everything they get.
ObliqueRay
Imgur when they remember how much money they've given Amazon
chine
There is no ethical consumption under capitalism
Hashbrown123
In all honesty, I have bought maybe 4 things off Amazon, and the last thing I bought was about 3 years ago.
kiddk00l
HumfreeBugart
Result will be 110% of workers vote NO, just like a Putin election
leeloumultipass
And union leaders will suddenly begin falling over balconies “accidentally” to their death. Or die from random heart attacks at age 35.
KirchoffsVoltageLaw
If they win this, it'll be a win for every other Amazon worker in North america
Fauxcused
if the company puts that much effort into pressuring no then yes I'd the right answer
grabyerpitchforks
My comrade wrote an article a while ago about this https://socialistresurgence.org/2020/12/25/19189/
Commentsaboutyourusername
I've got my pitchfork!
szepasszony
I'm glad more people are questioning capitalism, but I don't get the drive to form new socialist parties/abandon the established ones.
ColumboVsPredator
Are the pro union staff allowed to put up their own posters?
lolitsmike
Worked at a place that tried to unionize and they all got fired
Pauzlife
The place isn't union yet so there are no protections. Amazon can say and do as they want. After the place is unionized then its different
Pauzlife
After its unionized management cant do anything to remove the union really, except lock the doors for 90 days and reopen union free
CalluColorGod
J0NY5
Perhaps if they were in a union which won them the rights to do so.......
Outec
In my state it's illegal to use propaganda, intimidate or retaliate
DukePhelan
Yeah but that would require the government to enforce the law against one of the largest companies in the nation. Not going to happen.
bigbopper52
And this the reason Amazon choose Alabama
Leaps
Eh, Amazon has warehouses in almost every state, there isn't anything special about this Alabama location that I know of.
necessity
Bezos has a history of paying fines like they're fees.
makesense
All this stuff Amazon is doing is illegal too. But Trump was in charge the last 4 years so his NLRB wasn't going to do anything about it.
storebrandproductmascot
It's not like they've had a tough time getting away with union busting under any other president. And lol if you think Biden will change it.
adamSparkleFurlong
Biden has already changed it. Dubester in as chairman of the FLRA. Its a great start.
makesense
Did I say he would? Is it more likely? Definitely. Is it definitely going to happen? Depends on when the vote is.
storebrandproductmascot
People who take corporate money do corporate bidding. Reps just say "fuck you." Dems pretend to be on your side, then just try to stall and
ColumboVsPredator
I suspect I already know the answer but genuinely interested.
iancarry
i bet they can... but only on their own property.. thus..
AllGloryToTheDarkLord
Yes and no. They can put up their own posters, but then they stop being staff.
UrinalCarrier
I swear the US has some nineteenth century aspects
sharkwaffle
Congratulations! You've been promoted to customer!
Legomaniac91
Oh, good! That means you'll actually listen when I have complaints and treat me with respect!
kctrainmechformallykcbusmech87
Labour laws in the US are fucked man, even the most anti union Irish company (Ryanair) have had to allow unions form
Racavis
No, no, they're not *stopping* the union from forming! That would be illegal. They're just putting out anti-union propaganda in 1/2
Racavis
an environment where the potential unionizers can't avoid it, and can't respond to it! 'Murica! 2/2
kctrainmechformallykcbusmech87
Power to the workers✊
bitspacemusic
Laughs in Swedish. My employer has to pay for union reps going to meetings etc. It's the law.
weirdsmith
It doesn't look like it.
MarkusAwesomesauce
Alabama is a right to work state. Meaning they can fire you for doing that.
evilcarp
Federal law takes precedent and this is clearly a violation Federal rules. Now that trump and his ilk are gone Amazon may pay a price.
FelixTheCAT5e
Which laws? I'm curious
evilcarp
National Labor Relations Act administered by the National Labor
Relations Board.
valen00
yaknow why is it when there's a law in a red state the outcome is the opposite of the title?
Ihaveallthecookies
People read the headlines not the details, makes it easier to trick
CGWN
Right to work laws do weaken unions, but making existing unions optional to the workers isn't entirely a bad thing.
SnackMasterRanger
Washington, a very blue state is also a right to work/fire at will state
Chimichanga007
Newspeak
Aftofthebeam
Labor laws in Alabama are trash but the National Labor Relations Act prohibits an employer from firing a worker for attempting to unionize.
shoujoq
On paper, yes, but in order for it to be actionable, the fired worker has to prove the firing was because of that in court. Hard ask.
kiomadoushi
Easier when fired on the spot, or if they open their mouth. Wait a week or 2 and then fire you? Well, kind of out of luck.
CGWN
Correct. They can't be fired because if unionization attempts. They can be fired for a variety of legally unrelated reasons, or no reason.
CGWN
That's not because it's a right to work state; it's because it's an at-will employment state.
RoamingEast
thats how 'right to work' states are. Virginia is the same.
CGWN
At-will means they can fire you for any reason. Right to work means you don't have to belong to a union to work. They're not interchangeable
TheVermonster
Not "any reason" but "no reason". Bigggg difference. There are many reasons they can't fire you, particularly anything federally protected.
AdamSan3000
Are you saying there are states that require you to he part of a union to be allowed to have a job? That doesn't sound accurate.
RoamingEast
but the law is ACTUALLY used to discourage union membership by giving employers a way to fire you for promoting/mentioning unions. at all.
HumfreeBugart
Of course they can, Amazon regard it as a resignation letter
certainlynotaserialkiller
even saying the U word on company grounds will result in termination. so take a whild guess....
Unionburner
And that is illegal. Now of course they will say they didn’t fire you for that reason.
v6bezt9f7310
In oklahoma they can fire you for any reason. I tried forming a union at amazonZ
certainlynotaserialkiller
amazon dont give a fuck about legality. they spend 10~30 million a year in "union base" investigations
leechdemon
Sure would be a lot cheaper paying that to their employees....
zenoshogun
Except paying a living wage to their employees would be a significantly larger figure.
ZachariasWolfe
I don't think it would, or they would.
OliverClothesoff70
Do you have proof of that statement?
certainlynotaserialkiller
litteraly the first hit on the google: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/24/how-amazon-prevents-unions-by-surveilling-employee-activism.html
OliverClothesoff70
The person who made the accusation has 100% responsibility to prove the accusation is based on truth.
DangrebeTheMangrebe
Dumb
sphericalworld
It’s not an accusation, it’s a fact. It’s fine if you were unaware of it at the time, but you don’t have to jump their case over it.
Cutwail
Bro, i hope Jeff see you comment !
wuhdee
They already have.
spideysensetingling
When a company is fighting so hard to stop a union. It might be time for a union.
Rogermooreseyebrow
In the UK this would be illegal
ChrisDiddi
Same here in Denmark
amazigou
royal mail is worse when they have a dispute going
Rogermooreseyebrow
I did some temporary work for them years ago, never again.
MatthewBecker
In canada too
Eramik
In Norway too.
Rogermooreseyebrow
I think all countries are as bad, since the 80s it's been all about making the rich richer.
evilcarp
Technically it is in the US too. But there has to be someone willing to enforce the law.
Rogermooreseyebrow
I know what you mean, it's hard because the power of unions has been eroded over the years.
AlexSomething
We had fights for our rights like these in Europe... decades ago (sometimes more than a century ago). The US needs to catch up :(
TardigradeTheDestroyer
We in the US had these fights too, but now we have to have them all over again!
Rogermooreseyebrow
It's still bad since Thatcher, I lost my last job because I was getting people to join. But they dressed it up as redundancy.
MasterHaggisHunterInTheHills
I'm sure I read a thing a while ago, you still would have grounds for unfair dismissal, if the timing was too much of a 'coincidence'
Rogermooreseyebrow
No, they had made redundancies and the union said I wouldn't be able to prove it. They told me the day before a union meeting I'd arranged
JHRD1880
I'm still proud of my grandparents fighting the police on the streets in 1968.
Youreatowel
The idea that they think anyone would be convinced by these efforts is insane to me. I know it's probably more for intimidation but still.
spiffylookingnerfherder
In the old days organizers just went missing. http://blogs.detroitnews.com/history/1997/08/04/the-murder-that-brought-down-the-black-legion/
StrangerRangerDanger
I don't even work for Amazon, but seeing this makes me want to vote yes for them.
M0rep4ges
It absolutely works. I'm active in my union and the idea that "my dues are pointless" is endemic. SCOTUS ruling on union dues didn't help.
Zickezacke
Dude 50% of the voters in the US are voting against their own interesst for decades. Why shouldn't it work for amazon?
valen00
Shit man if they were showing this much fear it'd make me want to vote for them.
szepasszony
The fact that they put so much time, money, and effort into convincing workers not to unionize shows they are effective.
INeedMoreGifMeMoreJustOneMore
I would be thinking: " WTF are they so scared of the unions?"
Eramik
Profit margins
DoubleNubbin
The fact that they're making an effort shows they're scared. So good to see. Unions are vital to worker rights.
Imhonestlypartying
The U.S. is staunchly anti union ever since Reagan. These tactics work very effectively on people who don't want to think
Affray
If no becomes a common word used when the subject comes up it will become associated with the topic by those minimal thinkers.
7HrHotDog
Stockholm syndrome is much of what America’s Right wing is afflicted with. They’re not all evil, just another level of abused.
Benegesseritwitch75
We get the anti union talk every couple of years mind you I work for a great company great benefits and are pro family and mental health
Benegesseritwitch75
And I have yet to see serious success from unionized EMS at the moment were good w/out it. But I don't like the anti spiel from management
Camelspotting
I've never once heard about EMS being paid fairly.
Benegesseritwitch75
Again I work for a good company as the states min wage is going up thr company started increasing wages a few years ago and we get bonuses
NotStephanie
I read somewhere that the younger employees in particular have a hard time grasping what’s at stake.
Imhonestlypartying
Probably true. If you're under 40 you've grown up seeing unions demonized, wages stagnate and the middle class shrink. Hard to support a
[deleted]
[deleted]
[deleted]
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Imhonestlypartying
System you've never actually seen work when everyone older than you has told you since childhood that unions are bad
AuralOcean
Then there's people like myself who saw my dad work in an amazing union, and then run into uninformed anti union idiots. Ugh.
ImOPsMom
1/2 I'm 33. My wife is in a nurses union. They are one of the only RN groups that get consistent (and high) cost of living increases every
Ikusame
It does work because these are the people with the greatest need for employment and are afraid of losing their jobs.
LordofGrixis
^this
fayoh
All the while, one of the things unions work for is better job security....
llamallanaduck
The problem with living paycheck to paycheck is that missing just one could mean homelessness. Getting fired or going on strike means /
fayoh
Absolutely... that's the irony/sad part
llamallanaduck
/ missing a paycheck. Hard to bank on future job security through a union when the immediate consequences are that dire.
Duros62
Why don't they just cut to the chase w/signs that say "Vote yes and you're fired!"
truemetalman
That would be a clear case for a retaliation or unjust firing lawsuit.
Duros62
Doesn't mean it wouldn't happen.
Jagergeist
"Vote yes and Amazon is going to have a totally unplanned closure of this warehouse. Starting now."
Imhonestlypartying
Because that's actually illegal. They can't threaten your job over attempting to unionize. They'll just fire you for petty shit
SquanchingIntensifies
They'll find an excuse. Or just ignore the laws because money.
Imhonestlypartying
They often do but on paper they're not supposed to
weirdsmith
The company owned by the world's richest man, doing everything it can to avoid paying its workers a living wage. The American Way!
llestPieGod
Vote Yes! Rage against that Machine!
JoeT85
America needs unions back, but it doesnt needs the corruption potential
TheHappyHermit
I've always thought that if a giant company goes union (Walmart or Amazon), workers at other/smaller companies will follow...
cikson
That's way it's (he looks and acts as robot) richest man on planet.
TheAnswerWasAlwaysMoreLube
"They have taken untold millions that they never toiled to earn.
But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn."
TheAnswerWasAlwaysMoreLube
"We can break their haughty power, gain our freedom when we learn,
That the union makes us strong"
TheAnswerWasAlwaysMoreLube
- "Solidarity Forever", written by Ralph Chaplin in 1915
HumfreeBugart
And people will disgusted, then continue buying from Amazon
dadof2as
Have a feeling it isn't about the money, starting wage is $15.40.
Chief1410
For real, i dont get it. Amazon also offers free vision and dental for part time...
HighLordRegentofChaos
But they force people to work as if they're lifeless robots that don't have biological issues such as the need to pee.
dadof2as
No they don't. Gotta pee, pee....but if you feel the need to take 20 minutes every time, then that's not good.
Imgurisbetterthanreddit
Why are we talking about tesla?
ahernandez
I hate to be that guy, but they are paid $15/hr. Not saying they shouldn’t unionize, but in alamabama that’s a living wage
kimdan19793607
Then convincing everyone that unions are the devil.
OverpricedCrayon
Thank Reagan!
RealRaceRiotsAreAboutGettingBlueshelledInMarioKart
Walmarts anti-union orientation video actually accrues them fines (it says unions limit advancement potential and whatnot) but they did a >
RealRaceRiotsAreAboutGettingBlueshelledInMarioKart
Break-evens that showed it cheaper to pay the fines than deal with unions or fly their corporate team everywhere
ColClone54
Remember this - see that Ferrari? if you keep working long & hard, and sacrifice for the company, your boss can soon buy another one.
MrMineHeads
It pays 15 minimum. It also pays non-minimum wage workers well. It is the work conditions people criticize.
tempestfoxthree
In the UK, every company I've worked for has actively encouraged their workers to join the relevant union.
CatSnoutSoup
Was that before or after they checked you for possession of a butter knife and warned you about words considered an assault on others.
AlexjoneswatchingTporn
Neither because who walks around with a butter knife and someIn America got 6 years for making an offensive joke on rune scape
AlexjoneswatchingTporn
So hows your free speech going
Tblldll
It’s a different story here ... in Canada too you are encouraged to be part of the (existing) union. In this case, they want to unionize
Tblldll
Not sure the same would be true if employees wanted to unionize. In Jonquières, Québec (Canada) employees from one WalMart voted yes
Tblldll
And WalMart closed the store and reopened another one a few blocks away from the initial one... very depressing.
PieMasterOfTheRealm
I've had induction days that actually consisted of sitting with the union rep for the company where they actively tell you what they do.
PieMasterOfTheRealm
it's madness to think in America that this would be sooooo far off the grid that such a thing isn't even known about.
Blackthorn74
I have always found working with unions is great. You tell them what you don’t like as a manager - they work with you to find a solution.
otomesound
In the US, evert job I've had has dedicated orientation time for "unions are bad and rob you".
otomesound
It's bullshit of course, they just hate the idea of workers with any amount of leverage
thegringointhenorth
I've also found that unions in the UK tend to be uniformly impotent or unwilling to help, at least in the public sector.
tempestfoxthree
I mean, for the union to have any power the staff need to be willing and able to strike. Can't speak for public sector unions as I've never
tempestfoxthree
Worked directly for the public sector. Closest I've been was private security subcontractor for the local council. But the companies I've
tempestfoxthree
Worked at have all had at least 1 union that they deal with that has been relatively effective in negotiating wages and benefits for staff.
XenoWoof
I am curious, how this'll work here in Canada, as they are currently building a warehouse 10min down the road. I don't know enough about it.
KleptoKea
Enabled by American Apathy™ !
ProppaGanda
That's why we all need to unionize. Don't cross the picket line, don't buy from Amazon, join iww.org
factcheckmate
I buy small order from amazon, find retailer's info and then buy directly from them next time
WillowFox
The name is SO American. It couldn't be "national". It had to be exaggerated
Chimichanga007
It's in fact international
vilestench
Most unions are, in fact, international. Maybe it’s not “world wide”, but don’t blame America for the name. The board probably chose it.
ShopaholicsAnonymous
*second richest Still, fuck Beff Jezos.
Skywalker2416
Interesting thing is they do pay like 15/hr starting out. Sucks dick until you can move around positions tho. Newbies get the truck.....
Thanksforl
Then don't work for Amazon.. pretty simple. If labor demand outruns labor supply.....
Thanksforl
12 downvotes because my option is smarter than lining the pockets of union "reps"? The point was to use capitalism against Amazon.
countbassy
Yeah. Good idea. Just collect welfare instead
ElbowdeepinElmo
Quite a lot of people can't be picky about what they do for a living. They have to work the job they get to (hopefully) stay afloat.
Thanksforl
I used to think that way
Dustorn
And then you became a bootlicker.
Thanksforl
Nope. Started working for myself. Real original response lmao
Thanksforl
Meaning Amazon will eventually be forced to raise wages.
GrosseChung
How to succeed in a capitalist economy
HandoB4Javert
*corporatist
RoryBlack1
Plenty have succeeded outside of America pay9ng living wages though
GrosseChung
The point is that profiting off of other people’s work is the essence of capitalism
OmenJones
Eh... consumers with more money's also a way to succeed in a capitalist economy.
weirdsmith
Having full time workers on food stamps, a la Walmart and others, is a uniquely American subsidising of billionaires by the middle class.
TheHappyHermit
Walmart is a burden on the taxpayer. they whine "but higher prices if" well we get screwed either way /1
TheHappyHermit
Upping taxes on corps that pay little/no taxes would benefit the taxpayers. let them carry some of the burden a while; ease it back on us
lgscar
The argument is that they’ll leaven and outsource their work
proracing53
Come on, those people make not enough to survive but too much to collect food stamps
Baynalz
I make 40k a year. That's too much for benefits but not enough to support a full family of 4. Walmart employees make less.
Einherion
Nope. They collect benefits even with their employment.
BunburyBunburist
Are you aware that Amazon pays 15 USD per hour? That is more thsn most companies pay for unqualified workers.
goodbyepants
Go fuck yourself, bootlicker
Monstache
Yeah, but unions isn't just about fair wage. Its also about fair working conditions, and amazon really doesn't have that.
IPourMilkBeforeCereals
Whataboutism. $15 for adults is imho borderline modern slavery.
IPourMilkBeforeCereals
Also, if I got laid off tomorrow, I would get four months of full salary, then $20.5 per hour in unemployment benefits for 2 years after.
IPourMilkBeforeCereals
Counting a month = 137 work hours. Nearly $2800 a month. For NOT working.
Chief1410
Wait till you hear about fast food restaurants paying 7.25 and hour... $15 is not slavery...
idriveajunkerplymouth
Look up “Battle of the overpass” in 1937. It’s amazing how long these fights have gone on and what toll they can take, even these many years
OverpricedCrayon
Im also going to add watch the movie Harlan County U.S.A. from 1976.
wahwahskittletots
Most Amazon workers are paid well after their probation period.
whiskeyzach
And their high turnover and lack of coaching and training ensures many people will never see the end of that probation period.
Freepour91
Was about to ask what hoops do you have to jump through to get it.
samwyze
There's a track with about 15 hoops (some on fire) just to take a piss. Be sure to beat the time trial, or you'll get reprimanded.
dontrike
You haven't read of the shit Amazon workers go through, have you?
MasterfulToast
Considering the average pay for warehouse worker is $15 and if you have a brain you would know thats NOT A LIVEABLE WAGE.
lovelybone93
I work in a warehouse with PE and get paid just under $15/hr, it's much more chill than Amazon. It's not enough here, they need more there.
IPourMilkBeforeCereals
What is your definition of "well paid" ?
proracing53
I think Amazon starts at $15 so if the company tells you, "federal is $7.25, we start at $15, you might think that's well paid I disagree
IPourMilkBeforeCereals
Thanks mate. $15 per hour in the U.S. for adult labor is not well paid in my book. That is a shitty salary; borderline modern slavery.