Coming down to Capitol Hill to stand up for working people. More of this, please!

https://gizmodo.com/amazon-labor-union-leader-puts-lindsey-graham-in-his-pl-1848887996

Amazon Labor Union Leader Puts Lindsey Graham in His Place
Chris Smalls fired back at Graham during a Senate Budget hearing while wearing a jacket with the words "Eat the Rich" stitched on the front.

By Mack DeGeurin

Amazon Labor Union President Chris Smalls had some choice words for South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham during a congressional hearing this week: “The people are the ones that make these corporations go, not the other way around.”

Smalls made the comments during a Senate Budget Committee hearing called by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders to question the U.S. government’s spending on contracts with companies accused of labor violations, with a particular focus on Amazon. During the hearing, Graham lashed out at Sanders, who he called “radical” for what he viewed as the “demonization of individual companies.”

“This is very dangerous,” Graham said of Sanders’ singling out of Amazon. “You can have oversight hearings all you like, but you’ve determined Amazon is a piece of crap company. That’s your political bias.”

Smalls, who was scheduled to testify at the hearing, fired back at Graham ahead of his prepared remarks.

“You forgot that the people are the ones who make these companies operate,” Smalls said “If we’re not protected and if the process for when we hold these companies accountable is not working for us…that’s the reason why I’m here.”

Smalls wore a bright red jacket with the words “Eat the Rich” stitched on the front.

Smalls, who successfully led a historic first of its kind unionization efforts at a Staten Island warehouse last month, went on to tell Graham his advocacy for Amazon worker’s rights transcended traditional party affiliations

“I think it’s in your best interest to realize that it’s not a left or right think,” Smalls said. “It’s not a Democrat or Republican thing, it’s a workers thing, it’s a workers issue. We’re the ones that are suffering in the corporations that you’re talking about, in the business that you’re talking about, in the warehouses that you’re talking about.”

Smalls was joined alongside Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien, Good Jobs First, Executive Director Greg LeRoy, and Government Accountability Office Director of Education, Workforce, and Income Security, Thomas Costa, who provided their own testimonies. The groups and some lawmakers spoke critically of Amazon, with Sanders calling out Amazon’s well-publicized anti-union tactics. “Amazon has done everything possible—legal and illegal—to defeat union organizing efforts.”

In the weeks leading up to the Staten Island vote, Amazon workers told The City they attended anti-union meetings they believed were mandatory. More recently public documents revealed Amazon considered spending up to $100,000 per month on anti-union consultants to kill that union drive. Those are just the most recent examples in a long, sometimes aggressive, list of anti-union tactics displayed by the company.

Not long after Thursday’s Senate hearing, Smalls reportedly met with President Joe Biden. Though it’s unclear exactly what the two discussed during their meeting, Smalls posted a tweet writing, “Just met with the President lol he said I got him in trouble.” That meeting came just one day after smalls and other labor leaders sat down with Vice President Kamala Harris.

The series of high-profile meetings represent a major win for Smalls and the labor movement generally, particularly among those working for large tech companies. At the time of writing, at least three Apple retail stores are reportedly in the process of attempting a unionization vote. Union efforts are catching wind at Amazon as well. Less than one month after Smalls’ victory a second warehouse in Staten Island attempted and failed to unionize. While that effort may have fallen short, it signaled what may be a year full of unionization efforts spread across Amazon’s estimated 110 U.S. fulfillment centers. Now, it appears that these workers have the public support of the president and leading members of congress.

______________________________

"Walleye, a lot of things are going to go wrong in your life that technically aren't your fault. Always remember that this doesn't make you any less of an idiot"

--Walleye's Dad

"“It’s not a Democrat or Republican thing, it’s a workers thing" - Chris Smalls


"Drugs ain't a black thing, or a white thing. It's a death thing." - Nick Peretti from NJS



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"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

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"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

to change the narrative to "AOC doesn't care about the workers but I do" (yeah ok!)

He was like has nothing to do with the work we're doing.

Tucker had the awkward laugh when he tried to say big corps like Amazon just try to pacify the masses with 'woke language' (he's not wrong though)

Didn't watch the whole hearing yesterday but looking forward to seeing the highlights and talking points

The obvious problem with the working class that progressives have even identified themselves is the prevalence of highly educated people in leadership that frame the language in activist or academic terms, so they could learn something from the streamlined approach Smalls is taking

https://buffalonews.com/business/local/feds-accuse-starbucks-of-unfair-labor-practices-in-buffalo/article_f469a399-4f84-5efe-a56a-76ccc13bf052.html

Feds accuse Starbucks of unfair labor practices in Buffalo

Associated Press May 6, 2022 Updated May 7, 2022

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Federal labor officials filed a sweeping complaint Friday accusing Starbucks of unfair labor practices at its stores in Buffalo, New York, including retaliation against pro-union employees.

The National Labor Relations Board’s Buffalo regional director outlined a host of labor law violations in a filing seeking reinstatement and backpay for the employees.

There’s been a wave of unionization drives at Starbucks stores nationwide, with the first union votes coming in December at three stores in Buffalo.

The coffee chain called the allegations “false” and vowed to fight them at an upcoming hearing.

“Starbucks does not agree that the claims have merit, and the complaint’s issuance does not constitute a finding by the NLRB,” spokesman Reggie Borges wrote in an email. “It is the beginning of a litigation process that permits both sides to be heard and to present evidence.”

Starbucks Workers United, the group behind the unionization effort, said the complaint “confirms the extent and depravity of Starbucks’ conduct in Western New York for the better part of a year.”

“Starbucks is finally being held accountable for the union-busting rampage they went on,” Danny Rojas, a fired shift supervisor, said in a statement. “Starbucks needs to understand that it is morally corrupt to retaliate against union leaders, and I am looking forward to the NLRB forcing Starbucks to make this moment right.”

Last month, federal labor officials asked a judge to force Starbucks to reinstate three union activists at its Phoenix location, alleging the coffee giant engaged in unfair labor practices.

As of this week, workers at more than 250 U.S. stores have filed petitions with the labor board to hold union elections, labor organizers say. At least 50 of those stores have voted to unionize with Workers United, a branch of the Service Employees International Union.

Starbucks reported Tuesday that its sales climbed to record levels in its fiscal second quarter but noted it faced higher employment costs, which set to grow even higher in the coming months as the company introduces new pay raises and other benefits.

However, workers who have voted to unionize or stores that have petitioned to hold a union election won’t be eligible for those additional wage hikes and benefits.

Starbucks Workers United has said it filed charges with the labor board against Starbucks on Tuesday. The group alleges the company is violating labor law by threatening to exclude unionized stores from receiving the new benefits.

______________________________

"Walleye, a lot of things are going to go wrong in your life that technically aren't your fault. Always remember that this doesn't make you any less of an idiot"

--Walleye's Dad