Aid Justin: Suspended for Union Efforts

Hi, our names are Nik and Cris and we're coworkers of Justin Rodriguez, an Amazon TOM Team driver and a leader in the fight to unionize Amazon in the Hudson Valley. Justin was a core Organizing Committee member at Amazon SWF1 and a key figure in launching our first public petition in August of 2023. He then moved on to the TOM Team at Amazon SWF2. During a company round table this May, Justin brought up safety issues and the lack of support by management, passively mentioning these are some of the reasons why workers want a Union. A week later, management retaliated by accusing him of theft and suspending him for a month. Before this Justin lost his housing and was sleeping in his car. He fell behind and lost his car. Coworkers at both buildings came to his defense, with SWF1 marching on the boss, demanding his reinstatement and payment of back wages. While we continue the fight to get Justin back to work, we are raising funds to get Justin's car back and, hopefully, a deposit on an apartment for him and his son.

Here's Justin sharing his story:

Hi, my name is Justin. I have worked for Amazon for 3 1/2 years. I started out at a delivery driver at DYO1 and then I transferred into the warehouse at SWF1 in 2022. Not long after I was hired at SWF1, I met Nik and was immediately ecstatic that someone else shared similar views about the power of collective action and worker organizing. After a year and a half I transferred to SWF2 and 5 months later I was promoted to the TOM Team. I work most weeks 50-60 hours to have enough money to buy groceries and support my family. The working conditions are unsafe and the hours are long. I pick up every shift I can to give my family a better life, but like so many of us know, working 60 hours a week still isn't enough to make ends meet.

Though Amazon tried to make an example of me for uttering the word 'union', my belief in unionizing Amazon never wavered, and the support my coworkers have shown me has strengthened my commitment. I appreciate their support and now yours. Thank you for reading my story and appreciate any assistance you can give.