Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Friday praised union organizers at an Amazon warehouse in Alabama "for their courage and willingness to stand up for workers' rights." (Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)
Apr 09, 2021
Although employees of an Amazon warehouse in Alabama ultimately voted against forming a union, Sen. Bernie Sanders on Friday called for reforming federal labor law as he applauded the efforts of organizers who took on the retail giant.
Sanders (I-Vt.) was an early backer of the unsuccessful union drive in Bessemer, and recently traveled to Alabama to stand in solidarity with the Amazon workers. At a rally in Birmingham, he praised organizers for serving as a source of inspiration to others nationwide--a message he reiterated Friday.
"At a time of mass income and wealth inequality, and when workers have very little power on the job, I applaud the pro-union Amazon workers in Alabama for their courage and willingness to stand up for workers' rights," Sanders said in a statement. "They have been an inspiration to workers all across the country."
\u201cThe willingness of Amazon workers in Bessemer to take on the wealthiest man in the world and a powerful company in an anti-union state is an inspiration. It takes an enormous amount of courage to stand up and fight back, and they should be applauded.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1617997376
In response to the initial tally from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) count--1,798 warehouse workers voted against the union compared with just 738 who voted for it--Sanders said, "I am disappointed but not surprised by the vote."
"It is extraordinarily courageous for workers to take on one of the world's wealthiest and most powerful corporations, a company that spent unlimited sums of money to defeat the organizing effort," he added. "It also appears that some of Amazon's anti-union efforts may have been in violation of NLRB law. And that is something that the union is addressing with the NLRB right now."
As Common Dreams reported earlier Friday, the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU) plans to formally object to the election results and file unfair labor practice charges against the company, with union president Stuart Appelbaum vowing that "we won't let Amazon's lies, deception, and illegal activities go unchallenged."
Echoing some of the RWDSU's critiques of Amazon's opposition to the union effort, Sanders said that "the fact that the company was able to force workers to attend closed door, anti-union meetings is just one reason as to why we need legislation that finally gives workers a fair chance to win organizing elections."
"Workers should not be intimidated or badgered by a company because they are exercising their constitutional right to form a union," the senator asserted.
\u201cThe history of every struggle in this country tells us that we do not always win the first time out. But I believe, as a result of their courage, workers in Alabama will inspire significant growth in union organizing efforts around the\u00a0country.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1617997376
Sanders was not the only lawmaker to celebrate the Amazon workers' efforts while calling for broader reforms.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), co-chair of the Labor Caucus, expressed support for the RWDSU's objection plans, declaring that "Amazon's workers deserve to be treated better than they have been on the warehouse floor and better than they have been during this election."
"This election has made one thing abundantly clear, workers across the country need the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act," he added, referring to legislation that passed the House in March but has to pass the Senate, where Republicans can use the filibuster to block progressive bills.
"If the PRO Act was law, Amazon would not have gotten away with much of their union-busting tactics," Pocan said. "It is imperative that the Senate pass this integral piece of labor legislation."
\u201cUnions put power into the hands of workers and are key to good wages, fair benefits, and an equal voice on the job.\n\nIt's time to eliminate the filibuster, pass the PRO Act, and guarantee the right to organize. \nhttps://t.co/MUiIbVq96U\u201d— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@Rep. Pramila Jayapal) 1617993000
Renewed support for the legislation in light of the union drive's defeat also came from advocacy groups including the Sunrise Movement, whose press secretary Ellen Sciales described Amazon's recent anti-union actions as "eerily reminiscent of Jim Crow-era voter intimidation tactics."
"This vote is a stark reminder that the PRO Act must be prioritized and passed immediately," said Sciales. "The PRO Act would increase penalties for illegal intimidation and retaliation and other union-busting by companies like Amazon, while making it easier for more workers to join a union."
"The PRO Act is essential in our vision of a Green New Deal and a core part of Sunrise's Good Jobs for All campaign--for the federal government to guarantee meaningful work to all and ensure workplaces empower and protect workers," she continued.
If President Joe Biden and Congress "are serious about strengthening labor and uplifting everyday people," Sciales said, "they'll follow through on their promises and do everything in their power to pass the PRO Act immediately."
Join Us: News for people demanding a better world
Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place. We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference. Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
alabamaamazon.combernie sanderscorporate powerlabormark pocanpoliticspramila jayapalrights & justicesunrise movementworkers
Although employees of an Amazon warehouse in Alabama ultimately voted against forming a union, Sen. Bernie Sanders on Friday called for reforming federal labor law as he applauded the efforts of organizers who took on the retail giant.
Sanders (I-Vt.) was an early backer of the unsuccessful union drive in Bessemer, and recently traveled to Alabama to stand in solidarity with the Amazon workers. At a rally in Birmingham, he praised organizers for serving as a source of inspiration to others nationwide--a message he reiterated Friday.
"At a time of mass income and wealth inequality, and when workers have very little power on the job, I applaud the pro-union Amazon workers in Alabama for their courage and willingness to stand up for workers' rights," Sanders said in a statement. "They have been an inspiration to workers all across the country."
\u201cThe willingness of Amazon workers in Bessemer to take on the wealthiest man in the world and a powerful company in an anti-union state is an inspiration. It takes an enormous amount of courage to stand up and fight back, and they should be applauded.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1617997376
In response to the initial tally from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) count--1,798 warehouse workers voted against the union compared with just 738 who voted for it--Sanders said, "I am disappointed but not surprised by the vote."
"It is extraordinarily courageous for workers to take on one of the world's wealthiest and most powerful corporations, a company that spent unlimited sums of money to defeat the organizing effort," he added. "It also appears that some of Amazon's anti-union efforts may have been in violation of NLRB law. And that is something that the union is addressing with the NLRB right now."
As Common Dreams reported earlier Friday, the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU) plans to formally object to the election results and file unfair labor practice charges against the company, with union president Stuart Appelbaum vowing that "we won't let Amazon's lies, deception, and illegal activities go unchallenged."
Echoing some of the RWDSU's critiques of Amazon's opposition to the union effort, Sanders said that "the fact that the company was able to force workers to attend closed door, anti-union meetings is just one reason as to why we need legislation that finally gives workers a fair chance to win organizing elections."
"Workers should not be intimidated or badgered by a company because they are exercising their constitutional right to form a union," the senator asserted.
\u201cThe history of every struggle in this country tells us that we do not always win the first time out. But I believe, as a result of their courage, workers in Alabama will inspire significant growth in union organizing efforts around the\u00a0country.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1617997376
Sanders was not the only lawmaker to celebrate the Amazon workers' efforts while calling for broader reforms.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), co-chair of the Labor Caucus, expressed support for the RWDSU's objection plans, declaring that "Amazon's workers deserve to be treated better than they have been on the warehouse floor and better than they have been during this election."
"This election has made one thing abundantly clear, workers across the country need the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act," he added, referring to legislation that passed the House in March but has to pass the Senate, where Republicans can use the filibuster to block progressive bills.
"If the PRO Act was law, Amazon would not have gotten away with much of their union-busting tactics," Pocan said. "It is imperative that the Senate pass this integral piece of labor legislation."
\u201cUnions put power into the hands of workers and are key to good wages, fair benefits, and an equal voice on the job.\n\nIt's time to eliminate the filibuster, pass the PRO Act, and guarantee the right to organize. \nhttps://t.co/MUiIbVq96U\u201d— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@Rep. Pramila Jayapal) 1617993000
Renewed support for the legislation in light of the union drive's defeat also came from advocacy groups including the Sunrise Movement, whose press secretary Ellen Sciales described Amazon's recent anti-union actions as "eerily reminiscent of Jim Crow-era voter intimidation tactics."
"This vote is a stark reminder that the PRO Act must be prioritized and passed immediately," said Sciales. "The PRO Act would increase penalties for illegal intimidation and retaliation and other union-busting by companies like Amazon, while making it easier for more workers to join a union."
"The PRO Act is essential in our vision of a Green New Deal and a core part of Sunrise's Good Jobs for All campaign--for the federal government to guarantee meaningful work to all and ensure workplaces empower and protect workers," she continued.
If President Joe Biden and Congress "are serious about strengthening labor and uplifting everyday people," Sciales said, "they'll follow through on their promises and do everything in their power to pass the PRO Act immediately."
Although employees of an Amazon warehouse in Alabama ultimately voted against forming a union, Sen. Bernie Sanders on Friday called for reforming federal labor law as he applauded the efforts of organizers who took on the retail giant.
Sanders (I-Vt.) was an early backer of the unsuccessful union drive in Bessemer, and recently traveled to Alabama to stand in solidarity with the Amazon workers. At a rally in Birmingham, he praised organizers for serving as a source of inspiration to others nationwide--a message he reiterated Friday.
"At a time of mass income and wealth inequality, and when workers have very little power on the job, I applaud the pro-union Amazon workers in Alabama for their courage and willingness to stand up for workers' rights," Sanders said in a statement. "They have been an inspiration to workers all across the country."
\u201cThe willingness of Amazon workers in Bessemer to take on the wealthiest man in the world and a powerful company in an anti-union state is an inspiration. It takes an enormous amount of courage to stand up and fight back, and they should be applauded.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1617997376
In response to the initial tally from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) count--1,798 warehouse workers voted against the union compared with just 738 who voted for it--Sanders said, "I am disappointed but not surprised by the vote."
"It is extraordinarily courageous for workers to take on one of the world's wealthiest and most powerful corporations, a company that spent unlimited sums of money to defeat the organizing effort," he added. "It also appears that some of Amazon's anti-union efforts may have been in violation of NLRB law. And that is something that the union is addressing with the NLRB right now."
As Common Dreams reported earlier Friday, the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU) plans to formally object to the election results and file unfair labor practice charges against the company, with union president Stuart Appelbaum vowing that "we won't let Amazon's lies, deception, and illegal activities go unchallenged."
Echoing some of the RWDSU's critiques of Amazon's opposition to the union effort, Sanders said that "the fact that the company was able to force workers to attend closed door, anti-union meetings is just one reason as to why we need legislation that finally gives workers a fair chance to win organizing elections."
"Workers should not be intimidated or badgered by a company because they are exercising their constitutional right to form a union," the senator asserted.
\u201cThe history of every struggle in this country tells us that we do not always win the first time out. But I believe, as a result of their courage, workers in Alabama will inspire significant growth in union organizing efforts around the\u00a0country.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1617997376
Sanders was not the only lawmaker to celebrate the Amazon workers' efforts while calling for broader reforms.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), co-chair of the Labor Caucus, expressed support for the RWDSU's objection plans, declaring that "Amazon's workers deserve to be treated better than they have been on the warehouse floor and better than they have been during this election."
"This election has made one thing abundantly clear, workers across the country need the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act," he added, referring to legislation that passed the House in March but has to pass the Senate, where Republicans can use the filibuster to block progressive bills.
"If the PRO Act was law, Amazon would not have gotten away with much of their union-busting tactics," Pocan said. "It is imperative that the Senate pass this integral piece of labor legislation."
\u201cUnions put power into the hands of workers and are key to good wages, fair benefits, and an equal voice on the job.\n\nIt's time to eliminate the filibuster, pass the PRO Act, and guarantee the right to organize. \nhttps://t.co/MUiIbVq96U\u201d— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@Rep. Pramila Jayapal) 1617993000
Renewed support for the legislation in light of the union drive's defeat also came from advocacy groups including the Sunrise Movement, whose press secretary Ellen Sciales described Amazon's recent anti-union actions as "eerily reminiscent of Jim Crow-era voter intimidation tactics."
"This vote is a stark reminder that the PRO Act must be prioritized and passed immediately," said Sciales. "The PRO Act would increase penalties for illegal intimidation and retaliation and other union-busting by companies like Amazon, while making it easier for more workers to join a union."
"The PRO Act is essential in our vision of a Green New Deal and a core part of Sunrise's Good Jobs for All campaign--for the federal government to guarantee meaningful work to all and ensure workplaces empower and protect workers," she continued.
If President Joe Biden and Congress "are serious about strengthening labor and uplifting everyday people," Sciales said, "they'll follow through on their promises and do everything in their power to pass the PRO Act immediately."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.