Luis Feliz Leon

Amazon Workers on Staten Island Clinch a Historic Victory

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April 01, 2022

It’s the magical stuff of Disney movies. But yesterday, the improbable became the most probable when the scrappy band of workers who make up the Amazon Labor Union took the lead in a union election at a warehouse in Staten Island, New York, putting within reach a historic labor win at the corporate behemoth.

Staten Island Amazon Workers Pull into the Lead, While Bessemer Re-Vote Is Too Close to Call

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An exuberant group of young workers, diverse in race and gender, pose in a huddle and throw fists in the air
March 31, 2022

In initial vote tallies today, Amazon warehouse workers in New York are ahead by hundreds of votes in favor of forming a union, while in Alabama the election is too close to call, pending a court hearing.

Staten Island Amazon Workers Vote on a Union

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Warehouse lit up against dark sky. Directly under the "Amazon" logo the message "Vote yes!" is projected on the wall. A few people are visible coming and going near the doors below.
March 29, 2022

As the country cheers on Starbucks workers organizing, the votes will be counted this week in two big union drives at Amazon warehouses—one in Alabama and one in New York.

Walkouts Hit Amazon’s Last-Mile Stations

Luis Feliz Leon
Crowd of excited owrkers stands outside warehouse in the dark holding up handmade signs. Most prominent ones read "Amazon burns workers," "Amazon exploits workers," "Amazonians unite! Without us they're nothing."

Around 60 workers at three Amazon delivery stations—the final stop in the company’s logistics chain—staged a work stoppage early this morning.

Amazonians United, a network of rank-and-file worker committees around the U.S. and Canada, coordinated the walkouts in New York City and Maryland in its latest show of shop floor strength.

Here's What's in the New Bill Jointly Backed by Uber and the Teamsters in Washington State

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A big crowd of workers in matching green T-shirts hold up printed signs reading "PRO(FESSIONAL) UNION DRIVER"
February 25, 2022

Uber’s lobbyists, after clinching an agreement with UFCW Canada to launch a charm offensive at the Ontario provincial government for employee-like benefits on behalf of an estimated 100,00 drivers, weren’t done hobnobbing with unions.

Next up, the Teamsters in Washington state are working on a deal with Uber and Lyft.

A New Union, At Last? Mexican Auto Parts Workers Get to Vote, Three Years After Strike Wave

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February 19, 2022

UPDATE, March 1: Workers at Mexico's Tridonex auto parts plant in the border city of Matamoros overwhelmingly voted for an independent union on February 28. Workers cast 1,126 votes for the National Independent Union of Industry and Service Workers, 20/32 Movement (SNITIS), while 176 voted for the incumbent Industrial Union of Workers in Maquiladora and Assembly Plants (SITPME), which is affiliated with the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM).

In a Landslide Victory, Mexican GM Workers Vote In an Independent Union

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A woman wearing a red blouse and jeans and a serious, determined expression holds up a handful of "VOTA SINTTIA" leaflets, fanned out. She is standing in a sunny outdoor location, in front of a red car that has a poster taped on the side.
February 04, 2022

Auto workers at a General Motors plant in central Mexico delivered a landslide victory to an independent union in a vote held February 1-2. It's a major breakthrough for workers and labor activists seeking to break the vice grip of the employer-friendly unions that have long dominated Mexico’s labor movement.

After Strike, Washington Carpenters Approve New Contract by Slim Margin

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Picketers in high-visibility garb file alongside a plastic barrier. Printed signs read "ON STRIKE FOR FAIR WAGES AGAINST GLY CONSTRUCTION"
October 19, 2021

Going into the vote on a controversial fifth tentative agreement, the mood among Washington carpenters who had organized for a “no” vote was uncertain.

“It was so close last time, it’s hard to say what will happen,” said Tom Nolan hours before the vote tally was announced.

“A toss-up,” said Nina Wurz.

“It’s going to be a ‘no.’ But, unfortunately, I could be surprised. Being out of work has hurt a lot of people,” said Alejandro Lucero.

Workers Have Leverage. It's Time to Use It.

Luis Feliz Leon
Dan DiMaggio
Help Wanted sign - background red, text white, in window of store

The capitalist vultures are wheeling low, but they’re finding slim pickings to choose from these days.

“No one wants to work!” The bosses whine about a worker shortage—though it’s one they brought about.

Eighteenth-century British economist Adam Smith noted how common it is to hear complaints about workers coming together to fight for their interests, and how rare it is to hear about all the scheming the bosses do to plunder workers’ labor.

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