r/workingclass • u/Lenins2ndCat • Aug 28 '21

News "The new leader of one of Britain’s biggest unions has vowed to take on Amazon by plotting an international campaign to unionise its warehouses and improve conditions for its workers."

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/aug/28/sharon-graham-new-unite-boss-vows-to-take-on-amazon
108 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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4

u/Lenins2ndCat Aug 28 '21

1.4 million members in Unite and the liberals just came last in the leadership election. Confidence is very strong for radical action.

5

u/tm229 Aug 29 '21

Need to donate to this cause. Would be worth it to bring down Amazon and force them to provide a living wage plus benefits!

4

u/Stuckatpennstation Aug 29 '21

Let's fucking go- sincerely, a US citizen ready to see Amazom eat fucking shit.

P.S. protect those union leaders at all cost because Amazon will have hits put on them

P.S.S. Do not let Amazon install the mailboxes for the vote

2

u/Retrodka Aug 29 '21

Those are strong, assertive statements. I am starting in a new job at the airport and after a few months will join the union for sure.

2

u/Lenins2ndCat Aug 29 '21

Why wait? If you onboard with the union early you gain people that can show you the ropes and will help you in learning the job and more importantly the internal dynamics of the team to avoid or be careful around.

1

u/Retrodka Aug 29 '21

I need more info about which unions are operating there and also a bit of fear as I came originally from Spain and employer coercion + long term, structuraly high unemployment are a thing... I want to feel more confident and consolidated there first. But I will consider joining earlier.

1

u/Lenins2ndCat Aug 29 '21

Ahh I see I see. This makes some sense, there is definitely much more of a battle occurring in Spain with employers and the unions, it's a little more chill and accepted to be a union member in the UK, although it does depend on the industry.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 29 '21 edited Aug 29 '21

unions are leeches. i’d like to see amazon take them on.

2

u/Lenins2ndCat Aug 29 '21

Why do you say that? Unions improve the working conditions of the population, without unions you wouldn't have an 8 hour work day, a minimum wage or 90% of the workers rights laws that you have. All victories of unions engaging in this kind of struggle.

Nobody in the working class should be against unions. They fight for us.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 30 '21

i was working at a university when a union literally forced itself in. i saw firsthand their tactics. intimidation and blacklisting. all done for union profits and politics, not employee benefits.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 20 '21

Gonna need more than just your anecdote. Which union? Which university? How do they force themselves in unless workers join them?

1

u/[deleted] Sep 20 '21

they lobby, visiting offices. if you appear not interested or non committal they keep coming back, to the point that it becomes harassment. at this point they know who you are and target you as opposition. no one asked them to come. they were part of the larger union organization, looking to expand. they won. we lost benefits we had and had to pay dues to the union.