Amazon Workers & Lessons From the Fight For 15

Labor activists are urging unions to apply lessons from the SEIU’s Fight for 15 campaign to organizing Amazon, one of the largest employers in the U.S. While the Fight for 15 successfully raised wages for 24 million workers and secured $70 billion in raises, it faced criticism for prioritizing public pressure over building a self-sustaining organization of workers.

Organizers suggest a multi-pronged approach for Amazon, combining broad public campaigns with deep organizing within facilities. They point to the need for substantial financial investment, potentially tens of millions of dollars, and a sustained, multi-year effort.

The authors propose strategies like establishing Amazon Aid Centers, recruiting "salts" (pro-union workers placed inside facilities), and exploring innovative tactics beyond traditional legal protections. They also emphasize the importance of leveraging community connections and focusing on disrupting Amazon’s operations through strategic pressure points, similar to a recent Starbucks warehouse blockade.