President Biden
Joe BidenNoem Praises South Dakota Coronavirus Response, Blocks Lockdowns In CPAC Speech On The Trail: Cuomo and Newsom – A Story From Two Controversial Governors Biden Celebrates Vaccine Approval But Warns ‘Could Reverse Current Improvement’ on Sunday offered his support in organizing unions, while Amazon workers in an Alabama warehouse vote on whether or not to unionize.
In a video posted to Twitter, the president told workers “in Alabama and across America” who are considering joining a union that they are faced with an “extremely important choice”.
He didn’t directly mention Amazon, but his video statement was released after nearly 6,000 warehouse workers in Bessemer, Ala., Began voting on the option to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) earlier this month. If approved, the union would become the first in Amazon’s US operations.
“I made it clear during my leadership that my government’s policy would be to support the organization of trade unions and the right to bargain collectively,” said Biden. “I keep that promise.”
“So let me be very clear: it is not up to me to decide whether someone should join a union,” he added. “But let me be even clearer: it is not up to an employer to decide that either. The choice to join a union is up to the workers – complete stop. “
Biden went on to say that employees should not face intimidation, coercion, threats, anti-union propaganda or questions from regulators about their decision.
Workers in Alabama – and across America – vote on whether or not to organize a union in their workplace. It is an extremely important choice – one that must be made without intimidation or threat from employers.
Every employee should have a free and fair choice to join a union. pic.twitter.com/2lzbyyii1g
– President Biden (@POTUS) March 1, 2021
Ballots were sent for the vote at the union organization to employees at Bessemer’s warehouse earlier this month and should be returned to the regional office of the National Labor Relations Board by March 29, CNBC reported.
The Bessemer facility first opened in March 2020, but workers soon voiced concerns about work quotas, low wages and concerns about the lack of protection against COVID-19 – issues raised by employees at other Amazon locations brought.
Warehouse workers in Alabama began organizing quietly in July before the RWDSU officially filed a petition in November.
Amazon did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment. But a spokesperson previously told The Hill that the union does not “represent the majority of our employees’ views,” while drawing attention to the company’s starting pay of $ 15.30.
The online retailer has reportedly campaigned against union organizations through a website and pamphlets encouraging workers to vote against the effort, Vice said.
RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum praised Biden’s statement that a union is “the best way for working people to protect themselves and their families.”
“And that’s why so many working women and men are fighting for a union at the Amazon facility in Bessemer, Alabama,” Appelbaum said in a statement.