Amazon is notorious for being anti-union. Some brave workers in various locations are taking organizing matters into their own hands however, and this rousing documentary takes a deep dive into the efforts of one such group in Staten Island.
Among other dubious business practices, Amazon is notorious for being anti-union. Some brave workers in various locations are taking organizing matters into their own hands however, and this rousing and immersive documentary takes a deep dive into the efforts of one such group in Staten Island. Dismayed over the inadequate provisions of PPE equipment for workers, a charismatic aspiring rapper named Chris Smalls walks off the job, forms a group called the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), and convinces others to join via motivating speeches and offers of free marijuana. In order to bring the matter to a vote, ALU needs to get 30% of the workforce signed on amid predatory anti-organizing tactics by their bosses, and directors Story and Maing depict the ALU’s ups and downs with a bird’s-eye view as the group strives to reach the magic number.
—Rod Armstrong