From the Frontlines: Organizing Against Amazon w/ Chris Smalls and Mars Verrone
May 6, 2025
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Chris Smalls, founder of the Amazon Labor Union, shares his journey from being fired for advocating COVID-19 safety to leading a historic unionization effort. Mars Verrone, a filmmaker and musician, discusses his documentary that chronicles these struggles. Together, they highlight the immense challenges of organizing against Amazon's corporate power and emphasize the significance of collective action and worker solidarity. The conversation reflects on the emotional victories at JFK8 and the importance of May Day in the ongoing fight for labor rights.
Chris Smalls transformed from a fired Amazon worker to a labor leader by founding the Amazon Labor Union amid daunting challenges.
Amazon employs extensive union-busting tactics and invests millions annually to deter unionization efforts among its workforce.
The documentary 'Union' highlights the grassroots organizing of ALU, showcasing the dedication of workers fighting for fair conditions.
Deep dives
Introduction to EcoGather and Sponsorship
EcoGather is introduced as an experimental educational initiative focusing on heterodox economics, collective action, and fostering a sense of belonging within communities. As it concludes its active phase, EcoGather is making its self-paced online courses freely available to the public, enabling broader access to its educational resources. Additionally, it is transitioning into a new organization called Otherwise, aimed at continuing its mission. The initiative serves as a vital platform for discussions about societal issues and collective solutions.
Amazon's Anti-Union Strategies
Amazon invests heavily in union-busting tactics, spending between $10 to $20 million annually to deter unionization efforts among its workforce. Specific examples include the company's significant financial contributions to thwart unionization campaigns, particularly a $25 million effort in Alabama targeting a Black worker-led initiative. The company employs various strategies, including enlisting police forces to intimidate activists, resulting in repeated arrests of organizers. This calculated approach reflects Amazon's commitment to maintaining control and suppressing collective action among its employees.
Chris Smalls and the Birth of the Amazon Labor Union
Chris Smalls shares his journey from being fired for organizing a walkout over unsafe conditions during the early COVID-19 pandemic to founding the Amazon Labor Union (ALU). Initially unaware of the significant challenges ahead, Smalls found himself at the forefront of a critical unionization effort. He emphasizes the importance of May Day, or International Workers Day, as a day of solidarity and accountability for workers and their struggles worldwide. His experiences highlight the necessity for workers to unite against oppressive corporate practices and seek systemic change.
The Role and Impact of the Documentary 'Union'
The documentary 'Union,' produced by filmmaker Mars Varun, chronicles the ALU's grassroots organizing efforts with a focus on the realities faced by Amazon workers. The film captures the dynamic and often chaotic nature of the organizing process, showcasing the urgency and dedication required from workers who balance their shifts with activism. Importantly, the filmmakers aimed to present a realistic portrayal of the challenges involved in unionizing, making it clear that the fight is far from over. By documenting the struggles and victories of the ALU, the film serves as an inspiring tool for labor organizers everywhere.
Ongoing Challenges and Future Outlook for the ALU
Despite the ALU's historic victory in unionizing JFK8, the union continues to face substantial obstacles, such as Amazon's refusal to engage in bargaining. Smalls highlights that the struggle for fair working conditions and contracts is ongoing, with plans to intensify efforts against the company. The ALU's success has sparked numerous other unionization campaigns across the nation, demonstrating the widespread impact of grassroots organizing. Moving forward, the focus remains on building solidarity, educating workers about their rights, and preparing for future actions against corporate giants like Amazon.
Chris Smalls had no idea the direction his life would take when he was discharged in 2020 for organizing a walk out in protest against Amazon’s safety protocols during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. He had no idea he was about to embark on one of the most challenging David and Goliath unionization efforts of our century.
In this episode, we speak with Chris Smalls, the founder and a former president of the Amazon Labor Union, or ALU, as well as Mars Verrone, a filmmaker, musician, and educator from Los Angeles who recently produced the documentary film, Union, following Chris and the other organizers in their fight for better working conditions at Amazon. We hear the origin story of the Amazon Labor Union, learn about the internal and external challenges faced by Amazon labor organizers, and explore a broader view of the union movement and its crucial role in advocating for systemic change. Chris and Mars also talk about the importance of unions in today’s political landscape—especially under the Trump Administration—and the significance of this year's May Day and its resonance for workers around the world fighting for justice, dignity, and a post-capitalist future.
This episode was sponsored by EcoGather, an experimental educational project focused on heterodox economics, collective action, and belonging in an enlivened world. As EcoGather's active phase comes to a close its self-paced online courses are being made freely available at www.ecogather.ing and its vibrant community is reconvening in a new organization called otherWise. Find out more at www.otherwise.one.
Intermission music: "You Are Not a Number" Original score for Union by Robert Aiki and Aubrey Lowe
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