Factually! with Adam Conover

How Unions Beat Amazon with Stephen Maing and Brett Story

Dec 25, 2024

Stephen Maing and Brett Story, co-directors of the documentary 'Union,' delve into the remarkable efforts of Amazon workers who courageously organized against corporate oppression. They discuss the intense challenges faced by these workers, including harassment and systemic resistance, as they fought for their rights. The duo highlights the emotional triumph of winning union recognition and reflects on the struggles of distributing their powerful documentary amidst corporate interests. Their insights shed light on the importance of solidarity and storytelling in the labor movement.

01:10:12

Episode guests

Brett Story

Stephen Maing

AI Summary

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The successful unionization of Amazon workers at the Staten Island warehouse marks a significant shift in America's labor landscape and employee rights.

Grassroots organizing demonstrated by Chris Smalls and Derek Palmer illustrates the power of collective action against corporate anti-union tactics.

The documentary 'Union' captures the emotional and interpersonal struggles of workers, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and human dignity in labor movements.

Deep dives

The Rise of Amazon Labor Unions

Amazon warehouse workers are currently engaged in significant labor strikes, marking a pivotal moment for unionization efforts within the company. These workers are demanding better wages and improved working conditions, signaling a growing movement against the corporation's historically anti-union stance. The strikes began after successful unionization efforts were seen at the Staten Island warehouse in 2022, where workers took a stand against Amazon's oppressive practices. This newly emboldened workforce represents a shift in America's labor landscape, illustrating the deep-rooted desire for employees to assert their rights and demands against a trillion-dollar corporation.

Intro

3min

The Inspiring Fight for Unionization at Amazon

4min

The Fight for Amazon Workers' Rights

16min

The Design of Employment: Surveillance, Injury, and Resistance

4min

Fighting for Solidarity: The Amazon Struggle

18min

Victory and Challenges in Labor and Media

9min

Labor Narratives in Media

17min

Dignity in Labor: Solidarity and Storytelling

7min

Amazon workers are on strike! It’s no shock that employees are pushing back against the invasive, abusive, and grueling practices of one of the world’s largest corporations. What is surprising, though, is that they managed to form a union at all. Stephen Maing and Brett Story’s astonishing new documentary Union tells the inspiring story of how workers fought against all odds to claim victory over the corporate giant. This week, Adam talks with Stephen and Brett about the uphill battles these workers faced against Amazon—and the challenges they now face trying to find a distributor in Hollywood brave enough to release the film.

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