I am at work, I have come in early. I work at an Amazon warehouse. This is my idea of a dream job. I work alongside folks from all walks of life. It is like a mini United Nations. From kids who did not quite complete High School to those who have attended the oldest universities in the world. And an abundance of different faith beliefs and philosophical approaches. I am also picking back up my French, Spanish, and Arabic. Unfortunately, with the high employee turnover rate due to work place conditions it is difficult to build lasting relationships. Their stories however stay with me. As Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos stated, “Businesses often forget about the culture, and ultimately, they suffer for it because you can’t deliver good service from unhappy employees.”  With that said this job is fulfilling, I am learning much about the shipping and logistics industry and the intersectionality of Workers Rights. It is quite the adventure and a calling to serve the worker and what a marriage for the vocational ministry of Katrina’s Dream… working on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and building a Union.So this tract will first covermy calling to work with the Teamsters in bringing Amazon to the Table; and how Workers Rights and Women’s Rights go hand in hand; and how Senator Cardin’s refusal to champion the ERA has lead to the Dobbs ruling and a nation upside down in this election, and how this now takes us to the brink of World War III; and other things to consider in the upcoming 2024 elections here in the USA.

First thing to understand is that the job is physically demanding. It is the equivalent of a low impact nine-hour long senior citizen aerobic class, while simultaneously lifting inventory of various weights up to 50 lbs. Having made a pilgrimage where I walked across the USA for the Equal Rights Amendment with a 35 lb backpack covering on the average of 30 miles a day, so believe me you, when I say, “It is a real workout!”. Trust me, it is physically taxing. As one who enjoys athletic activity this is ideal. But most folks are not trying out to be a contestant on Big Brother or Survivor. Most here at my warehouse in Long Island hold two jobs to make ends meet. Most are skipping meals so that their kids have shoes.

It is also mentally challenging, the pop up screens alerts on the handheld mini-computers, called scanners continually demand your attention with deafening beeps at volumes which cause long term ear damage and flashing lights on inventory storage containers called ‘pods’ dance across the robotic floor dictating where you can place your hand and where you can’t at unsustainable long periods for which one must be a cruciverbalist and skilled gamer as  Amazon tracks inventory throughout their vast network of various types of warehouse facilities. Warehouse workers input this data so that the inventory can move from the point of sale where a consumer buys the product online and it is delivered to their door. Amazon’s internal software problems are glitchy as they do not take into consideration a number of essential factors, such as weather delivery delays, along with safety and health issues. These programs are being designed to reduce the workforce and deliver even more financial rewards for a select few investors and stockholders. Eventually making the warehouse worker obsolete. Thus, they truly are not human-user friendly.

To exemplify the burdensome task of attempting to seek redress and solutions, it has taken well over 15 minutes logging in to the app to schedule my appointment with Kayla from HR who has not yet provided me with an email (nor her last name) so that I might communicate more efficiently. I previously copied Mr. Jassy on my letter to his Most Holy Father Pope Francis requesting his intercession on behalf of workers around the world organising for an Amazon union in their respective countries which it appears to have resulted in an escalated Executive HR Investigation. Kayla has been assigned the task of addressing my letter to Mr. Jassy, current CEO here at Amazon, as I have yet to get answers to questions I raised over a year and a half ago.I took it upon myself to communicate with Pope Francis as he has demonstrated his support for unions. Union organising is hard work and rather daunting.

In my my letter requesting support from his Most Holy Father I shared, “I am a high-tech blue collar warehouse worker at SNY5, an Amazon warehouse in Melville, NY. I took this job, the Fall of 2022. Initially I was enthralled and found the experience exhilarating. I imagined all the people we were helping out that Christ Mass season: the child who would receive a toy the night before an operation from a beloved family relative, a young lady receiving a gift from a loved one the night before they depart on military duty overseas, the struggling contractor whose job requires that item within hours.  

Unfortunately, that Christ Mass season after expressing my concern regarding safety in the driver’s parking lot after an incident, I was told, “We don’t care about people getting killed. We have insurance for that.” My heart sank that day.
Seeking guidance, from board member Bishop Musonda Selwyn Trevor Mwamba and I prayed over the matter. In conversation with my late dear friend and board member William R. MacKaye I was directed to build a union. And I set myself to the task.  I am actively engaged in forming a union working with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to advocate for better working conditions. Thus, I am writing to bring to your attention the urgent need for workers’ rights and unionisation at Amazon here in the United States of America.”

I expect to follow-up shortly with Senator Bernie Sanders’ who has an open Senate Amazon Investigation Committee to address Health and Safety Issues. I will file another complaint with OSHA if need be. However, I am hopeful that my informal conversations with Amanda Hummell from HR will bear fruit and that the harassment and fear tactics being utilised to dissuade and intimidating employees from examining their options will cease and desist and that I without further delay be able to organize unhampered.

Obviously, I will not walk away nor give up.  I will continue to advocate for a Teamster’s Union Shop at SNY5 in Melville, NY, too much is at stake.

The Teamsters are a blessing.  On the path to building a union and bargaining unit here at my small warehouse, I have had the pleasure of learning from  the folks at JFK8 at Staten Island. from Chris Smalls, the founding President of the Amazon Labor Union (ALU) to Rina Cummings, a dedicated volunteer who fielded so many calls from across the nation, and so many more good folks.  Respect! Now with the ALU IBT Chapter 1 in the steadfast hands of Connor Spence and his Executive Board. Forward! Mr. Antonio Rosario guiding the “rank and file”. Presente! And Mr. Sean O’Brien. Cead mile failte!

Forward in the Spirit of Love and Light,

Helene de Boissiere

P.S.  I’ll be connecting the dots in Part 2.  So be sure to check out our website for updates. I’ll provide insight on observations from the frontlines of the cold hard warehouse floor.