Unionizing Amazon warehouses was never going to be easy(theverge.com)
theverge.com
Unionizing Amazon warehouses was never going to be easy
https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/10/22377142/bessemer-amazon-labor-union-loss-warehouse-rwdsu
4 comments
Why are unionization drives located there instead of at plants where workers are less satisfied? Or do we just not hear about those?
Honestly I don't know. A warehouse associate at Amazon makes ~25% more than a stocker at Walmart does (though Amazon is probably a somewhat harder job). To me, knowing very little about the specifics of labor organizing, Walmart seems like a more logical target. Though that's been very unsuccessful historically. Maybe there's someone experienced in the field on here who could explain how they do target selection?
I know amazon is a very organized and advanced company, but you can be sure that one thing walmart has invested in and stays on the cutting edge of is union busting. I would wager they are operating on a different level than amzn when it comes to union busting and union avoidance.
Had a friend that was a butcher at walmart back when there was talk of unionizing. It was a walmart in a small town and the moment even a rumor of unions started spreading, walmart was flying in corporate jets full of lawyers and psychologists and educators to make sure that no one unionized.
I guess they decided the risk was too great so they shut down their meat packing section in every store across America. I believe to this day, there are no butchers in walmarts. They bring in the meat pre-cut and pre-packed. Probably by a wholly owned subsidiary that they can easily shut down if things ever go sideways.
Had a friend that was a butcher at walmart back when there was talk of unionizing. It was a walmart in a small town and the moment even a rumor of unions started spreading, walmart was flying in corporate jets full of lawyers and psychologists and educators to make sure that no one unionized.
I guess they decided the risk was too great so they shut down their meat packing section in every store across America. I believe to this day, there are no butchers in walmarts. They bring in the meat pre-cut and pre-packed. Probably by a wholly owned subsidiary that they can easily shut down if things ever go sideways.
These employers almost invariably pay more than the median wage in their region. $15/hour with benefits is pretty good money in Bessemer. It's fundamentally very difficult to organize workers if they feel they're being treated fairly under the existing regime.