Jeff Bezos fails to kill Amazon's union. Here's what's next.

Read the transcript of this interview: therealnews.com/the-nlrb-rule...
JFK8 worker-organizers Michelle Valentin Nieves, Jordan Flowers, and Gerald Bryson join TRNN Editor-in-Chief Maximillian Alvarez for a discussion on the fight to unionize Amazon thus far, and what lies ahead.
Editor's note (2/8/23): In the video, Michelle is identified as "Michelle Valentin" but should be identified as "Michelle Valentin Nieves."
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[@elsonck2523]

Workers fought hard against this kind of employer and government oppression a century ago and here we are again. Jeff Bezos/Amazon should be setting the standard for a modern workplace not taking us back to the mid 1800s.

[@dishonoredundead]

Probably even worse off now than we were then, back then everyone understood workers rights were not only humane, but a crucial part of a free market economy. Even political leaders understood this, that's why things like a minimum wage were created. Now we have people so brainwashed they believe "unions is commienism's".

[@rickb3650]

Undoing over a century of progress has been the agenda all along. Even Warren Buffett flat out told us that that was what was being done 25 years ago. We've been in a class war our whole life, and most of us refuse to even acknowledge it.

[@elsonck2523]

​@@rickb3650 Yes, our standard of living rose after WWII but declined rapidly in the 80s when the gov't started removing protective legislation, underfunding oversight agencies and allowing financialization to take over. First the neo-cons (Reps), now the neo-libs (Dems)--both bought and paid for, both contributing to inequality and a huge imbalance in the distribution of wealth, and both essentially destroying what was once a progressive civil society. It looked like Obama had a chance to change it but he took the dope instead. Obama bad. Trump worse. Now Biden leading us into another world war.

[@rickb3650]

@@elsonck2523 Exactly. We've forgotten that it was the Democratic Party Leadership that pushed reagan's agenda through Congress and that Carter had already begun laying the legislative groundwork. The DNC convention in '68 and the Powell memo in '71 were clear indicators of what they were going to do.

[@elsonck2523]

@@rickb3650 The 60s scared the bejesus out of the establishment cons. That's when con think tanks took over. Now we are flooded with them--they have their grubby hands in everything and scheming about how to maintain their power and keep their dividends.

[@michaeljones1802]

If you have billions of dollars and your employees can't live the American dream, then you're depraved.

[@michaeljoseph3528]

Depraved is a kind word. The wealthy is as psychopathic as serial killers.

[@tester3x]

If you have a job and car and house and food and phone and and and... and you have ANYONE in your town who is homeless AND you are bitching about someone who has something you don't, YOU ARE DEPRAVED.

[@tester3x]

@GravityWell what are you talking about? Other countries are paying for it?

[@tester3x]

@GravityWell you don't steal. You purchase and/or trade. Both parties agree or it doesn't happen. China does it. Russia does it. EU does it. Socialism steals.

[@erigerontriteleia]

A multi-billionaire who cannot treat his employees with decent wages, ideal working conditions and great benefits is super greedy and disgusting (no soul)!

[@yamaci2725]

huge respect for the workers who fight for their rights, don't give up guys you are making history

[@Ruteger100]

When I found out that the Amazon drivers were not allowed to pull over for a pee break, they were required to pee in a bottle that they had to provide. I was sickened. UPS drivers are forced to do this sort of crap as well. (You won't let them pee, then it's strike for me)

[@mrsatire9475]

So that's why the packages we get via UPS smell funny

[@kentauree]

And people still don't realize that the rich see them as slaves. They think they are free because the media keeps telling them that they are free.

[@Robb912]

B.S.

[@aliceestrada2904]

A small single store union is too week. All amazon in all state need to unite under one union with attorneys to enforce a contract.

[@EnieMeenieMinieMoe]

This is the signal to others to do such. You need success to show it is possible within Amazon

[@profe3330]

@@EnieMeenieMinieMoe Yes, exactly. Organized labor has to rebuild, step by weeny step, all the the tradition and infrastructure that's been systematically undermined by owners and sadly neglected by the workers themselves. That's true across the board, not just at Amazon.

[@therover4141]

They were already in a contract when they agreed to take the job .

[@jefffaulkner2875]

And the prices to use Amazon as a customer just went through the roof.

[@dishonoredundead]

Factually untrue, demonstrably so, but I doubt that will stop you from saying it. What is your problem with the free market though? CEO of Walmart just claimed he would be shutting down the store worldwide, despite record breaking profits, because of stealing. Are you the one person in the world who actually believes that? Just curious, someone must, there is a reason they keep making statistically, empirically proven false statements, someone out there is buying it. Is that you?

[@jefffaulkner2875]

@Dishonored Undead You don't know what you're talking about. When a company inherent a new cost, which in this case, Union labor wages, customers pay the price. "Companies do not pay taxes, they collect them." Business 101. I'm all about the free market, but you're denying the fact that unions cause the cost of business to go up. Did you know you could buy a car a 3rd of the cost If it wasn't for unions.... Of course you didn't. You're forgetting about the Walmart profits a thing called inflation. You do realize they're selling their products for a hell a lot more than they did let's say, 2 years ago...... In terms of the stealing, what the hell does that have to do with unions Or Walmart's new inherited crosts of business? Amazing how you socialist leave out certain facts to justify your unresearched B.S.

[@markremy4946]

Word to business owners- treat your workers with RESPECT, rather than like shovels, and you will not have unions.Really bad when you consider a BILLIONAIRE owns Amazon.

[@JAYJAYJAY53]

I hope that those workers get a living wage which every worker everywhere deserves .

[@elsonck2523]

It's about the working conditions too. Amazon should be setting the standards for the workplace not treating their workers like dogs.

[@FLOWER6669]

@@elsonck2523 they are setting the standard by automating as fast as possible.

[@FLOWER6669]

The workers will win, but the workforce will shrink exponentially.

[@drewm9903]

@@FLOWER6669 They were likely going to replace those workers ANYWAYS so what kind of argument is that?

[@kaspaking]

I worked as a delivery driver for 5 months. It was a dystopian nightmare. I had to piss and shit in bottles and bags. Overworked, underpaid. Absolute slavery.

[@willdavis7254]

One big union

[@cheri238]

💯 percent correct!!!

[@surfthetsunami5596]

The working class and the owners have nothing in common. One big union, makes much more sense than unionizing each individual store, just to have weak Union "leaders" negotiate shitty deals for the sake of the ruling class, we don't need to "unionize" to organize workers and use direct action to improve working conditions and ultimately overthrow capitalism.

[@nagihangot6133]

"The next dimension or whatever the fuck -" perfect.

[@DRpokeme]

Always Hugh respec to our brother & sister unionists. ✊️

[@johnhigginbotham2770]

They are slowly outsourcing everything. They will hire a subcompany that will hire the workers.

[@michaeljoseph3528]

Mr. Bryson, your articulation skills is tantamount to that of the Declaration of Independence. It is sad to say, our nation has no respect for the sacrifices paid by those like you who made their freedom possible. 🙏

[@TheStarcruiser]

The people have more Power than the people in power!!!✊

[@FLOWER6669]

The people are in for a rude awakening. One word will solve this AUTOMATION.

[@therover4141]

@@FLOWER6669 and it will be hilarious when it does. Lol

[@CHUY-DRZ400s]

SOLIDARITY!!

[@nickjohnson3619]

That Amazon would claim the union was the party intimidating employees through this process is just insulting

[@El_Raton_Rebelde]

Sending waves of love and solidarity from ONT8!

[@ap8riot931]

This is huge. It essentially paves the wave for all Amazon sweatshops to go union. That pisses Amazon off like people can't believe. Their business model is called "turn and burn". This is how Amazon treats it employees turning and burning them where every one is expected to stay two years or less. In California work place injuries at Amazon warehouses are 200 times the industry average. They always contest workers comp!

[@greggsenne1268]

The way to protect a fortune is to increase a fortune. Whatever the rich have it's never enough.

[@F_U23]

A wise man told me, GREED will destroy this world.

[@therover4141]

Your entitled to what you build and work for. What's wrong with that? You wanna be rich off someone else's hard work? You feel your entitled to it why?

[@therover4141]

@@F_U23 no they were wrong it will be when our sun super novas

[@F_U23]

@@therover4141 If there is a super nova, whom do you THINK inspired that.....the same greedy ones???? Ever heard of "Silent weapons for quiet wars????"

[@therover4141]

@@F_U23 no one inspired it. It's the sun

[@truthseeker6541]

Every worker around the world should should take a leaf from these heroic fighters. I wish them and their Co workers every success.

[@Robb912]

Good luck with that after you're dropped down to part-time status and work is subcontracted out to private contractors.

[@therover4141]

I don't understand how people agree to work for a company then want to bitch and form a union when they don't like how the company operates. I have very little respect for unions and its supporters. No body forced these people into the workplace contract? Right to work state all day

[@drewm9903]

@@TheSpaceCoyote82 "These people dont realize they have everything they can ask for from an employer. " If they did there wouldn't be unions.

[@roblong9728]

Not generation u or you, it's generation we.

[@therover4141]

Start your own company don't hold someone else's hostage. Bring on automation and be done with the parasite unions

[@drewm9903]

@@therover4141 Lol, "bring on our robotic overlords led by some billionaire autocrats". Imagine rooting for 1984.

[@0ld.Richard]

#Solidarity #UnionStrong

[@kentauree]

There is no limit to the greed of psyhoes.

[@roblong9728]

Liuna strong, reach out because union solidarity is needed.

[@therover4141]

No it isnt

[@pinktights747]

Hi, 👋☺️ Max and tell Taya hello also. Love you guys.

[@Bobwa2008]

I canceled my Amazon account and haven’t bought anything in months and don’t plan on buying anything from Amazon ever again.

[@watersoilsun847]

Must have unions, join your union.

[@mattchew6426]

The Amazon union needs to grow enough to be able to threaten Amazon's entire operation if they go on strike. That's what Amazon is afraid of, from the corporate perspective. #UnionizeNationwide

[@therover4141]

Unions blow. Keep worthless people employed and overpaid and union dues are ridiculous. Don't like where you work go somewhere else. Unions are not needed anymore

[@mattchew6426]

@@therover4141 That's the argument that I have been hearing for the last 40 years. The fact is that labor has increased productivity and profits have increased exponentially in that time. Yet wage growth and standard of living (for the average American) have stagnated during that same period. The fact is that the people at the top are too greedy, and if they keep starving the working class they're going to end up as the only menu item left for those hungry masses...smh

[@therover4141]

@@mattchew6426 learn a skill become valuable. Find a job that pays more. You agree to work for the wage and benefits you get when your hired . Automation will take care of the problem soon enough.

[@mattchew6426]

@@therover4141 I've worked in Healthcare for the last 25 years. If they find a way to get a machine to do patient care (at hospitals and nursing homes), I'll be the first one cheering. Until then, it'll be people like me dealing with everything that the human condition can throw at us...literally and figuratively... Unions are the only way to balance power with people who profiteer off of human suffering and the people who actually care for the sick.

[@beckyboop3517]

And each government be they left or right have done nothing to help the workers. we saw in the pandemic that they can make and change laws at will. The political system stinks, same here in the UK. Stand your ground workers much love from the UK ❤

[@glenhill2034]

[@michaeljoseph3528]

The evil of wealth is that it is blind to the harm it causes upon the.very source of that wealth. Slavery is its most graphic example.

[@therover4141]

Communist gobbledygook

[@michaeljoseph3528]

@@therover4141 Are you a believer in slavery?

[@stupa_magoo]

Right on ❤❤❤

[@megacide84]

He doesn't have to... Mass automation, mechanization, and next-generation ground worker drones will kill the union for him.

[@dingleberry9947]

We need to get a union down in the Baltimore area Sparrows Point Amazon

[@satsingh1985]

@5:45, how many total votes ? Margin percentage win ?

[@cheri238]

523 votes!!!!

[@automotivegarcia1]

Amazon laid off over 20 thousand workers, they are quickly replacing workers with automation.. Keep workers at work..

[@johnblack6161]

They,d have done it anyway, the bottom line is all that matters to these leeches who own corporations, You dont actually think they care about there workers do yo, so dont blame workers for these pigs making everything with automation. THATS just childish thinking

[@drewm9903]

They would have fucking done it anyways. So this argument is null and void. You can't be obedient enough to your overlords that they won't replace you with someone more obedient than any human could possibly be.

[@drewm9903]

@@johnblack6161 Childish thinking is common amongst those that still think these corrupt institutions and the leeches running it are legitimate.

[@maseefmandic9583]

You don't necessarily need a Union to hold your employers, like Amazon to account you have a legal right to take court proceedings through Health and Safety as well as human rights laws, also as far as a companies policies are concerned their not worth the paper they are written on a policy is just a written rule of how a company wants to behave it's not law nor is it above the law and can therefore can be refused, and that is law. Check it out.....

[@jeffreyhowll1392]

Hi Al

[@kevinherd3437]

There shouldn't be a Amazon and Bezos should be taxed back to reality at the highest level in history.

[@creekboie3277]

I refuse to work for and do my best not to order from too. This man has so much money it’s ridiculous.

[@deborahgordon2479]

B1First Do not sell out

[@paigett8973]

Bezos will just pack up shop and leave!?

[@bereal6590]

To my usa cousins working for amazon, the best to you all, stay strong!!! From the uk ✌

[@HelicopterShownUp]

Seven unions seems excessive.

[@morrisbrown8441]

DAMN GERALD BRYSON; THAT WAS A MIC DROP!

[@kentauree]

Why does anybody buy anything from Amazon??????????

[@josef.negrete9522]

Lunch time listening pleasure. Gracias

[@wankertanker1813]

Amazon is just plain greedy. There is no other word to clearly describe their reaction when they have more than they could ever use in multiple life times. I guess the word sociopath also comes to mind.

[@felixdevilliers1]

Right you are. I thought that I heard someone say at the beginning of this discussion that the success of the Union in April has now been recognized officially. Very sad if I'm wrong.

[@SlabCityLibertarianAssembly]

Just a few pointers of the top of my head (for Amazon and in general). Hold the mid day meetings with featured speakers without technical details, recruit some rappers, beat poets, and subversive musicians to perform and speak to the broader economic and personal picture. Bring some food if possible and do that at least once a week. No paperwork unless approached (bring a portable peaker/mic at least)--then let that simmer during their work day and then hold sign-ups and one on one administrative shit @ the offsite bus stop after each shift based around the bus schedules. Try and get the bus drivers to join your struggle. Amazons production line requires transportation labor for a great deal of their continued business--if Amazon workers and transportation workers show solidarity with one another. The bus drivers can disrupt Amazon via the Amazon workers ability to get to work without Amazon having the ability to fire back, and vice versa for the transportation (doesn't matter if the bus company folks aren't striking--based on the fact that Amazons maximization of their wage slaves labor time and the strict timelines, if bus drivingers are magically late or behind schedule, enough peoples routes will be so fucked up from the get go that they bear no responsibility for, which equals customers and therefore a problem for Amazon, no matter their complicity with exploitation). Use everything they throw at you against them. Expect them not to respect ANY LAW (the law exists for them, not you), relying on it is foolish and will only lead to defeat. In the process of union formation, attempt at every junction possible to illustrate and bring light to contradictory policies, Municipal/State/FED/& Company--push it into the agitative grey zone in an attempt to either get people to disagree with it entirely and not give a damn whether its broken or not or reform/abolish altogether during the formation of you union (that'll provide a legal and cultural precedent, a stepping stone for your comrades and unions across the board). Eliminating the doctrines and practices of "business unionship" in favor of either abolishment and try and push practices as far as possible towards syndicalist and agorist practice. I'll have a section on my channel dedicated to syndicalists, agorists, and various forms and practices of unionism uploaded in the coming days if interested on learning the techniques they don't want you to know.✊

[@FLOWER6669]

This kind of attitude is ushering in the obsolescence of mankind. Why do people not see that robots are literally waiting in the next room to take over? People only use Amazon to try and save money on junk products, raising costs will reduce customers. If you don't like your job, find another one. The rights of the business owners and stock holders are equal to the workers. Even minimum wage legislation violates the rights of business owners. Plain and simple if you don't like the pay or conditions, unless they are doing illegal things, just leave.

[@sterlingwelch4528]

Here's some news for you. It's a world war not a war in Ukraine!

[@meh3247]

*Meanwhile, little Jeffy boy there is selling Kindles at an increased price if you don't want adverts, unfortunately they still come with adverts on the home screen, which ought to have an advertising standards lawyer somewhere salivating.* _Amazon is dying due to Late Stage Capitalism and it's increasingly bizarre behaviour, regardless of this fight - however righteous it may be._

[@michaeljoseph3528]

We humans have no clue that our labor, under under capitalism, furnishes the very wealth used to oppress us. The legal system too often respect wealth more than justice.

[@theogarcia8962]

How does this effect all of the Amazon DAU WAREHOUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD. I know AMAZON MAKES 1.2 billion a day. I

[@jeffbrewer1580]

Time to flex. Use the only power you have go on strike

[@allgoo1990]

Many reports report that the membership keeps declining despite the union activity is increasing and the support for the unions(>70%). By nature (I think) Americans don't want to do the hard work but expect others to do it and take the result of it.

[@nickjohnson3619]

I didn't see a link in the bio to donate to the ALU. Please share!

[@KingOFuh]

You know, uh...

[@ellenjeanabare9419]

Thank you Jay! Could you please let us know what your HEALTH ISSUE IS????????

[@ranborandy750]

Fight! ..... Fight!! ....... Fight!!!

[@granddad1954]

Where in a tyrannical system.go you guy’s fight fight fight.

[@seanmeehan9660]

Amazon work house

[@ryan8430]

I'm in a skilled trades union and yes the pay is great full coverage BCBS medical dental and vision that we don't pay for plus a pension and an annuity that we can borrow out of. Our jobs aren't guaranteed and if someone doesn't like you they can lay you off immediately

[@surfthetsunami5596]

I would like to make a point, we put too much emphasis on voting to unionize. You don't need to vote to unionize in order to achieve better worker conditions, in fact, there is at least an element of the ruling class controlling labor movements by placing such a big emphasis on the vote to unionize. Say you win the vote, then what, then you get union "leaders" to negotiate shitty contracts for the workers, and workers will have to pay dues for this, which is going to turn workers off to the idea of unions. It's kind of a trap. I say we need to organize worker solidarity to improve working conditions regardless of whether we are officially unionized. There are direct action tactics that can be used with or without the trade union. This is a philosophy that is embraced by the IWW by the way, which is not a trade union, you can join and be part of that union without having to have a majority vote in your workplace. And they have a big picture goal of overthrowing capitalism, which is important to me. Workers having each other's back to looking out for each other, these after things that resonate with most workers, regardless of their politics, it transcends culture war BS, it works. Just a thought

[@anthonydavinci7985]

Utmost Respect for Union fighters.. Please just don't become a STAGNANT HIERARCHY DESTROYING the very means to compete and a make living....There is/are obvious delineations...

[@nileswright8915]

Billy Idol was soooooo spot on! MOAR! MOAR! MOAR! Wut a wunnerful wurld..... right?!? :(

[@suzygate1697]

I hate to go to the stores and not to find a product that I always buy there. I have to go to Amazon to buy it!! Bezos is grabbing all these good brands so he can sale them all more expensive!! I blame the stores for allowing him to do that! Let’s go Bezos!

[@morrisbrown8441]

the gvt short on funds regarding servicing its citizens BUT send trillions to the Ukraine for TMIC

[@Vladimirleninputin]

Danish unions was fantastic, life was good in Denmark, then they broke down the unions, now poverty is a big problem=>homeless unemployed drugabuse Crime😟

[@macanoodough]

Good speakers. Very motivational. Even with that "Mouse on a wheel" bandwidth generator Bryson is using, his way of speaking made it not matter. That's who you're union leaders are supposed to be. Not some quiver who cringes in the face of Biden or anyone else. If the RR union had this man as their leader, he would have embarrassed Biden and got the deal they were looking for.

[@jackadam01]

I wonder if this will make Amazon products and shipping more expensive?

[@surfthetsunami5596]

... Better working conditions aren't what is going to make your chest products more expensive when you have a billionaire running the company. The fact that the CEOs of these company's are masking record profits, that's why prices are going up. Blaming inflation on workers demanding better conditions is pretty lame. Tax... Eat the rich, problem solved

[@jeffstevens3618]

Lady not is starving maybe cut back on fat food intake would help you save funds.

[@drakonismo]

Unions are the worst! These people are just gonna end up losing wages once theyre done paying dues 😂

[@whatsup5328]

Good job with the unions

[@fredbays]

more talking heads try writing it downaND i CAN READ IT 6 TIME FAST THEN U CAN SAY IT

[@buddyx6]

Unions are too dirty; it won't work out in the long run! I went through an apprenticeship in my mid 30's only to work with book-buyers after I Journeyed out, big joke! "KEEP ON KEEPIN ON"

[@mattchew6426]

Labor runs the world...

[@IronBand4]

Labor unions are a net negative on the workforces and a drag on improving the conditions of people in hourly roles. The communal approach just fosters animosity and distrust. A more free-market approach would be far more effective. Treat the companies the same as you would an individual paying for your labor and time. If your skill is worth something then work for a company that compensates for what you can provide. If your company will not negotiate, walk out and go to another company, just as you would turn down an offer to an individual who won't pay a reasonable amount for your work. Just as you would not purchase a product in a store that charges too much for an item you can get elsewhere, you would shop at the other location, you should be willing to shop for a job that is a better fit. Once people empower themselves to do this, the companies will have to compete for the labor by offering better wages and/or benefits.

[@drewm9903]

This would only work if we had a competitive job market and not a few monopolies controlling massive waves of industry. Besides, these same monopolies all give zero fucks about workers especially if they are replacing them with automation like many have said they would so you ain't going to negotiate with them in the same way a worker ant doesn't "negotiate" with the queen ant, just not gonna happen. The communal approach is the answer though I don't think unions (or unions alone) are enough anymore. I think we need a worker revolution and have workers own the means of production rather than a few wealthy capitalists (which now is hardly distinguishable from feudalism). The "free-market" solution is crap and there is nothing free-market about our system anymore anyways. "Just as you would not purchase a product in a store that charges too much for an item you can get elsewhere, you would shop at the other location, you should be willing to shop for a job that is a better fit." Except that may be the only store that has the product, whether due to availability or monopolistic practices that give the store exclusivity. Plus this solution assumes there is a lot of job opportunity where you live (some have way more than others).

[@Thumper68]

She was always joking around with him and had banter back and forth. But his wife’s always around too. She always seemed like she was kinda a fence rider she tried to be something she isn’t and acted ok with banter and she clearly couldn’t handle it and put herself in the position if she said something in the beginning it wouldn’t of happened but she wanted the show so she lied.

[@CryptoMafia]

May Mother Earth bless you guys! What an adventure!

[@profe3330]

So inspiring! Thanks so much.

[@anthonysupplee858]

What’s Next is the company goes Under. Nobody is going to use Amazon once the prices double.

[@drewm9903]

Cheap goods don't mean a thing if essentials like food is expensive and shelter is outright unaffordable. Like I could care less.

[@keni3044]

Karma is coming for beezo ,

[@grizztough4091]

you found out its not that hard to vote for a Union, but now that you actually have to do something, run it, negotiate, do the actual work required to have a Union, you seem to have NOOOOO clue what to do.

[@drewm9903]

How about can it and see what happens.

[@grizztough4091]

@@drewm9903 comment makes no sense