Chris Smalls, Former Amazon Union President, Faces Potential Removal as Elections are Agreed Upon

Chris Smalls' Leadership Challenged within the Amazon Labor Union

Chris Smalls, the former Amazon warehouse worker who made history by winning the first union election at an Amazon facility, is now facing the possibility of being voted out as the president of the union he founded. Members of the Amazon Labor Union have increasingly criticized Smalls, accusing him of prioritizing his own power over addressing workers' concerns and fighting for a contract.

Controversy Surrounding Union Constitution Amendments

Last year, Smalls introduced amendments to the union constitution, which postponed leadership elections until the Amazon Labor Union reached a contract agreement with Amazon. This effectively guaranteed Smalls' position as the union's president for an extended period. However, this move received backlash from some members, leading to over 850 individuals signing a petition demanding elections.

Organizers Split and Lawsuit Settlement

A group of organizers, including one of the union's founders named Connor Spence, broke away from Smalls and filed a lawsuit against the Amazon Labor Union in July. They demanded that the union hold elections. The lawsuit recently settled, resulting in an agreement to hold elections next year.

Chris Smalls did not provide a comment regarding these developments.

Smalls' Shift from Union Organizing

Despite gaining national recognition after winning the union election at a Staten Island warehouse, Smalls allegedly became disconnected from the work of union organizing. Some organizers claim that Smalls was unreliable and rarely participated in events. The union also experienced election losses at Amazon warehouses in Staten Island and Albany.

Furthermore, tensions escalated when Smalls was caught on camera engaging in a physical altercation with a former union organizer outside an Amazon warehouse. The split between Smalls and dissident organizers became official during a meeting where Smalls announced the constitutional amendment and instructed those who disagreed with him to leave.

Union Leadership Changes and Challenges

In May, the union's vice president, Derrick Palmer, resigned after it was revealed that he had been charged with assault. The case against Palmer is still pending. Before resorting to legal action, the dissenting group initially attempted mediation with Smalls to resolve their differences. However, Smalls' camp withdrew from the mediation session.

The mediator involved in the process, Bill Fletcher, emphasized the need for internal reorganization and affirmation of the union's leadership. He noted that Smalls appeared to be more focused on external matters rather than the internal situation, particularly at a time when internal organizing was crucial for developing a contract campaign against Amazon.

Chris Smalls' Response to Criticisms

In response to being labeled a "celebrity" more interested in fame, Smalls disputed these characterizations and stated that he had media attention long before the union was established. He clarified that his book deal was intended to support a documentary that is successfully premiering at Sundance.

Smalls argued that the dissenting group that left the union had not thoroughly read the constitution, which included their proposals. He asserted that the Amazon Labor Union has continued to organize and assist workers despite the split.

Regarding the recent settlement requiring union elections, Smalls stated that its primary purpose is to promote unity and address the damage caused by the spread of lies and misinformation throughout the year. He mentioned that a membership meeting in February will determine if members even want elections, emphasizing that the current priority is bargaining preparation and securing an Amazon contract.

Amazon's Response and Ongoing Legal Battle

Amazon seems determined to engage in a lengthy legal battle regarding the validity of the union election rather than acceding to the union's demands for contract negotiations. While the National Labor Relations Board certified the union's win in January, Amazon has appealed the ruling. The union has also filed complaints with the board to compel Amazon to engage in bargaining. Both complaints are pending.

In addition, Amazon has continued to impose restrictions on ongoing organizing efforts. Connor Spence, who played a significant role in the Amazon Labor Union's organizing campaign and is currently a member of the dissident caucus, was terminated last month for violating Amazon's "off-duty access policy." Spence has filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board to challenge Amazon's disciplinary action.

Original article source: Business Insider

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By: klong@insider.com (Katherine Long)
Title: Chris Smalls, Former Amazon Union President, Faces Potential Removal as Elections are Agreed Upon
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/chris-smalls-amazon-labor-union-president-new-election-2023-12
Published Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2023 10:18:01 +0000