What's #BoycottAmazon? Sunday Marks Week Long Boycott

Sunday marks the start of #BoycottAmazon week, which supports Amazon warehouse workers in Alabama who are trying to unionize.

The Washington Post, which is owned by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, reported in February that some Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, a suburb of Birmingham, complained that the company’s high expectations left them little time to take bathroom breaks.

There are no unions at any Amazon warehouses. The e-commerce retail giant has reportedly even gone as far as to hire anti-union consultancy firms and even fire those who try to push for safer working conditions.

The warehouse employs 5,800 employees and many are Black. The New York Times noted that union organizers have linked their efforts to the civil rights battle in the South. The labor showdown has drawn the interest of President Biden as well as other public figures.

Alabama is a right-to-work state, which means that it does not require union membership as a condition of employment.

“We hope these members of Congress will spend this same amount of energy on raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour -- as Amazon did for all of our employees in 2018,” Amazon spokesperson Heather Knox said in a statement. “We’re proud to pay more than double the federal minimum wage, while also offering comprehensive benefits, paid time off, and short- and long-term career growth — all in a safe and modern work environment.”

There has been some confusion about the hashtag and the motives.

Many on social media have also shown their support.

The National Labor Relations Board is taking warehouse worker’s votes until March 29 and if 50% of the workers vote to unionize, the next steps will be taken towards unionization.