Ep.103: David v Goliath… taking on Amazon with Lawrence Ben

Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by former Australian trade union organiser - now based in New York and the National Political Coordinator for the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), Lawerence Ben. 

Lawrence discusses the recent RDWSU campaign to unionise Amazon workers in Bessemer, Alabama - a campaign which faced serious resistance, including union busting tactics and intimidation of workers at the ballot box, from management. 

He gives us an insight into the organising strategy and tactics the union deployed in this industrial fist-fight, why they chose to unionise in Alabama, and the key takeaways from an ultimately unsuccessful campaign. 

Lawrence also gives an overview of US industrial laws and regulations that guide employers/employee relations and how difficult it is for unions to represent and collectively bargain for workers. 

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