United States: President Joe Biden’s pro-union video amid the unionisation campaign at Amazon (Alabama)

Joe Biden is seen to be lending full support to the unionization campaign at Amazon’s Bessemer site in Alabama. In a video published on Twitter on 01 March (here), the Democrat president recalls that workers in Alabama are voting until 29 March on whether or not to establish a workplace trade union. While Amazon is not explicitly referred to, Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) is currently campaigning in only one firm in Alabama. The President points out that it is for the workers to decide whether or not to join a union. Recalling the rules of the National Labor Relations Act, which frames the right to organize and bargain collectively, he said “there should be no intimidation, no coercion, no threats, no anti-union propaganda,” before continuing, “Every worker should have a free and fair choice to join a union. The law guarantees that choice.” This is the first time in decades that a sitting President has openly committed to workers’ organizations. Even former President Obama refrained from such intervention. However President Biden made this commitment during his presidential campaign. He wanted to be the most pro-union president ever. In the video, he also highlights what he sees as the contribution of trade unions to American society.