We organized our union at the KSBD air cargo hub around a demand for a $5/hour pay increase for all workers. In the summer of 2022, some 900 workers, which was about half of the building, had signed our petition. More than 60 of us had come together as a delegation to bring our petition to management. 

As a result of this delegation, Amazon gave workers a 90 cent/hour raise. That was a concession to our power, but it wasn’t enough!

We then organized a one-day walkout. With around 150 workers participating in this declaration, Amazon management could no longer ignore our demands. They raised the pay for all workers in the facility by $1.20/hour after that demonstration. This, too, was a step in the right direction. But it wasn’t nearly enough to meet everyone’s needs, especially considering the cost of living in Southern California. So we organized another strike a few months later, now fueled by additional concerns on worker safety in dangerously high heat levels. This time 120 people picketed for hours, loudly making our demands heard and stopping a number of trucks from entering the facility. 

Management reacted by bringing in union busters, who followed workers around and harassing them about their union support. They specifically targeted known union members and leaders. One union manager, Sara Fee, complained to the KSBD general manager about the union busters. But in a blatant act of retaliation, Amazon suspended her for three days. 

At KSBD, being suspended for three days was usually a precursor to being fired.  We came together and made a plan to escalate. We distributed and wore stickers that read, “Where is Sara?” and we made plans to go on strike again, if necessary. 

Management saw that we were serious, and they caved, bringing Sara back to work - with three days of backpay. 

Although our original goal of a $5 raise was not yet met, our demands still secured more limited raises for all workers at our airhub. And even more stunningly, we managed to protect a known union leader from a blatant act of retaliation. This shows that we can stand up for one another - we have power when we act together. 

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Photo credit: KSBD Amazon Teamsters

Articles and Socials Documenting Incident

Article on the first walkout, Article on the second walkout, Union Instagram Post on Sara Fee’s Reinstatement, Union Instagram Post on the second strike. 

Socials

@ieamazonworkers (Instagram) (Twitter/X) (Newsletter)