Supporting Workers at Amazon, its Affiliates

Red-shirted 965 members Ben Pollock, Tricia Starks and Geoff Brock join the Solidarity with Amazon Workers rally March 20, 2021, outside the Fayetteville Whole Foods Market.

The Solidarity with Amazon Workers Rally

Members of Local 965 joined with area progressives March 20 to support workers at the Bessemer, Alabama, Amazon facilities to join a union to boost their wages to that of similar workers in the area and to improve work conditions.

  • Red-shirted 965 members Hershel Hartford, Bret Schulte, Mike Pierce, Tricia Starks and Geoff Brock await Ted Swedenburg to shoot a photo at the Solidarity with Amazon Workers rally March 20, 2021, outside the Fayetteville Whole Foods Market.
    Red-shirted 965 members Hershel Hartford (from left), Bret Schulte, Mike Pierce, Tricia Starks and Geoff Brock await Ted Swedenburg to shoot a photo at the Solidarity with Amazon Workers rally March 20, 2021, outside the Fayetteville Whole Foods Market. Photo by Ben Pollock.
  • Hershel Hartford, Bret Schulte, Geoff Brock, Ted Swedenburg and Ben Pollock discuss Local 965 business at the Solidarity with Amazon Workers rally March 20, 2021, outside the Fayetteville Whole Foods Market.
    Hershel Hartford (from left), Bret Schulte, Geoff Brock, Ted Swedenburg and Ben Pollock discuss Local 965 business at the Solidarity with Amazon Workers rally March 20, 2021, outside the Fayetteville Whole Foods Market. Photo by Mike Pierce
  • Red-shirted 965 members Ben Pollock, Tricia Starks and Geoff Brock join the Solidarity with Amazon Workers rally March 20, 2021, outside the Fayetteville Whole Foods Market.
    Red-shirted 965 members Ben Pollock (from left), Tricia Starks and Geoff Brock join the Solidarity with Amazon Workers rally March 20, 2021, outside the Fayetteville Whole Foods Market. Photo by Mike Pierce
  • Mike Pierce, Bret Schulte and Tricia Starks hold the Local 965 banner at the Solidarity with Amazon Workers rally March 20, 2021, outside the Fayetteville Whole Foods Market.
    Mike Pierce (from left), Bret Schulte and Tricia Starks hold the Local 965 banner at the Solidarity with Amazon Workers rally March 20, 2021, outside the Fayetteville Whole Foods Market. Photo by Ted Swedenburg.

Announcement of rally, March 19, 2021

We of UA-Fayetteville Education Association / Local 965 decided at our monthly membership meeting March 18 to actively support union organizing efforts at the Amazon facilities in Bessemer, Alabama. Specifically, we are asking our members and supporters to attend — safely, with masks and social-distancing — a rally outside the Fayetteville Whole Foods Market 1:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 20, 2021. March 20 will also represent U.N. World Day Against Racism.

We suggest that you don your red 965 T-shirt if you have one, otherwise any red shirt, for a bit of visual solidarity. The local event’s organizers created a Facebook event with details. The national facilitator is Support Alabama Amazon Union.

For background information, “Amazon, Union Battle for Undecided Workers in High-Stakes Vote” from the Voice of America is pretty comprehensive with no paywall.

This is Collective Action.