Uniting Amazon Workers

In this episode of The Brian Lehrer Show, host Brian Lehrer discusses the historic unionization of Amazon's JFK-8 warehouse on Staten Island—the first successful union effort at Amazon in the U.S.—with Derek Palmer, co-founder of the Amazon Labor Union (ALU). Palmer recounts the pivotal moment during the pandemic when workers, including himself and Chris Smalls, witnessed a supervisor being denied medical leave despite being visibly ill, sparking a walkout that led to retaliation and national attention. This event galvanized the movement, leading to the formation of ALU and ultimately a successful union vote in April 2022. Palmer emphasizes the importance of grassroots organizing, culture-building through food, music, and community events, and the strategic use of inside-outside organizing at the bus stop across from the warehouse. Despite ongoing challenges—including failed campaigns at other facilities and Amazon’s resistance—Palmer remains optimistic, believing the ALU’s success can inspire a broader labor revolution. He also discusses the union’s decision to stay politically neutral, its focus on workplace issues over partisan politics, and the ongoing contract negotiations now legally mandated by the NLRB. The episode concludes with a call for listeners to share their own organizing experiences.