Across the country, masked people holding signs lined up outside of Whole Foods and Amazon warehouses and distribution centers Saturday to protest working conditions for employees.
Several community members gathered near Whole Foods Market in San Luis Obispo to show their support for Amazon employees.
This rally was part of a National Day of Solidarity for Amazon Workers trying to unionize in Bessemer, Alabama.
Southern Workers Assembly encouraged people across the U.S. to rally for better working conditions.
Between Feb 8th and March 29th, approximately 6,000 Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama will begin voting by mail on whether to be represented by the Retail, Wholesale Department Store Workers Union (RWDSU), according to the employee's group.
Employees accuse the company of harsh working conditions and refusing to adopt measures that protect workers from Covid-19.
In a statement, Amazon spokesperson Max Gleber said, “The truth is that Amazon already offers what unions are requesting for employees: industry-leading pay, comprehensive benefits from the first day on the job, opportunities for career growth, all while working in a safe, modern, and inclusive work environment. At Amazon, these benefits and opportunities come with the job, as does the ability to communicate directly with the leadership of the company. Direct dialogue is essential to our work environment in which we encourage associates to bring their comments, questions, and concerns directly to their management team with the goal of quickly improving the work environment and challenging leadership assumptions. We firmly believe this direct connection is the most effective way to understand and respond to the needs of our workforce.”
