Triangle-Area Amazon Labor Leader on Hunger Strike, Calls on Amazon to Negotiate With Union

Image credit: CAUSE

We solemnly announce that one of our leaders has commenced a 40-day fast, refusing food entirely, in honor of every Amazon worker who has died while in the service of this company.

This hunger strike is the personal decision of that leader, undertaken according to his own conscience. CAUSE was informed on Day 12 of the fast. Nevertheless, we stand united behind the demands it seeks to advance.

This hunger strike calls upon Amazon to take the following actions:

First Demand: Immediately end any policy that discourages or delays workers from calling 911 during a medical emergency.

Second Demand: Hold open town halls, on company time, at RDU1, RDU5, SNC3, HRD2, and DRT8, where workers may freely ask questions of both management and CAUSE representatives regarding unionization.

Third Demand: Immediately enter good-faith negotiations with the Amazon Labor Union (ALU) to reach a collectively-bargained contract.

We recognize that a hunger strike is a profound act of personal sacrifice. The leader undertaking this fast does so with full awareness of the physical risks involved, in the hope that it may awaken the conscience of a Nation.

We therefore invite workers, labor organizations, elected officials, and all people of goodwill to stand in solidarity with this sacrifice and join us in advocating for these demands.

Lastly, the leader has already lost 20 pounds and his physical condition rapidly worsens each day. We humbly ask all communities of faith to pray for the safe conclusion of this hunger strike.

May this witness end not in tragedy, but in honor.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."— Matthew 5:6

This article was first published by CAUSE.