The Daily

How Two Friends Beat Amazon and Built a Union

Apr 11, 2022

In this compelling discussion, investigative reporter Jodi Kantor joins Christian Smalls and Derrick Palmer, two trailblazing Amazon workers. They recount their journey leading the first successful unionization effort at an Amazon warehouse, tackling systemic challenges in labor practices. The trio delves into the harsh realities of working conditions, the importance of safety during the pandemic, and the power of grassroots organizing. Their stories reflect resilience and solidarity, aiming to impact labor rights across the nation.

54:00

Creator website

Episode guests

Christian Smalls

Jodi Kantor

Derrick Palmer

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

Reflections on the Amazon Experience

5min

Struggles and Solidarity: Amazon Workers' Fight for Safety

15min

Resilience in Workers' Rights Advocacy

9min

Grassroots Unionization Journey

3min

Grassroots Unionization Efforts

14min

Unionizing Amazon: A Journey of Resilience

4min

Amazon's Election Challenge and Ukraine's Military Developments

2min

Support for Ukraine: A Risky Visit and Global Workforce Solutions

2min

This episode contains strong language.

A year and a half ago, the Times journalists Jodi Kantor and Karen Weise began examining labor practices at Amazon.

In the process, they met Christian Smalls and Derrick Palmer, two Amazon workers at a warehouse in New York, who had embarked on an improbable attempt to create the company’s first union. Last week, they did it.

We sat down Mr. Smalls and Mr. Palmer to ask them how it happened.

Guest: Jodi Kantor, an investigative reporter for The New York Times; and Christian Smalls and Derrick Palmer, warehouse workers who led the first successful unionization attempt at Amazon.

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Background reading:

How Christian Smalls and Derrick Palmer won the first successful unionization effort at any Amazon warehouse in the United States, potentially one of the most significant labor victories in a generation.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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