During a rally with unionized Amazon workers (I-Vermont), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), called upon President Joe Biden for more support of unions. He suggested that the president should invite labor organizers into the White House.
Speaking in New York City, Sanders praised Biden’s praises for unions in speeches and statements. said thatThe president should do much more than just talk.
“Does the [Biden] administration need to be doing more to support unions?” one member of the crowd asked.
“Yes,” Sanders replied, to cheers from the crowd. “To his credit, Biden has talked more about unions than any other president in my lifetime. But talk is not enough.”
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“What he has got to do is start inviting these guys to the White House,” he continued, gesturing to the ALU organizers standing by the platform. “He’s got to invite the Starbucks workers to the White House, the other unions that are organizing all over this country, and make it clear that he is on their side and that he is going to do what he can to support labor organizing throughout this country.”
In an interview with The New York TimesSanders stated that he had made this suggestion directly at the White House and that he had told the Biden administration that he would take it into consideration. the time to listenThe White House can help workers by asking them about their needs and wants.
Other than flying to meet with someone, Both Amazon workers are in New YorkSanders also held an event for Virginia Starbucks workers on Sunday Virtual town hallsWith both groupsA number of workers were invited to live stream their experiences with union busting at work. He has also made He uses his power to make movesAs a senator to push executives to stop union busting
During his time in office, Biden was generally supportive of labor organizations. In a speech to union leaders earlier this month, Biden expressed his support for labor unions. Biden signaledHis support for Amazon workers involved in a unionization campaign.
He observed that his administration was a success. has created a task force that explores and executes ways to better support unions from the federal level, “to make sure the choice to join a union belongs to workers alone.” Then, he said, “and by the way, by the way: Amazon, here we come.” Later, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki walked back this statement, saying that the government wouldn’t be involved in supporting unionizing efforts by Amazon workers.
Biden is on the campaign trail pledged to be the “most pro-union president leading the most pro-union administration in American history.” Though workers have been driving a major resurgence of the labor movement over the past year or so, there are still major roadblocks in union organizing that experts say could be eased by support from the White House.
Even if it is just a matter of bringing attention to the union busting practices of a company, such as Starbucks workers Have previously called for from lawmakers, could help garner support for workers’ efforts. Biden has yet not commented on the Starbucks union push. It was an extraordinary experienceThe labor movement has seen a significant increase in force over the past few months.
