FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 29, 2021 Contact: Chelsea Connor | [email protected] | 347-866-6259 (NEW YORK, NY) – Tomorrow, workers in Germany will go on strike at Amazon facilities in their own country. This comes less than a week after workers in Italy launched a successful national strike at their own Amazon facilities. These strikes, just like the workers’ push to form a union in Alabama, center on working conditions, fair treatment, respect and better pay as the company amasses billions during the global pandemic.  Amazon fulfillment center workers in Bessemer, Alabama, whose vote to form a union with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) concludes tonight, join in solidarity with their sisters and brothers throughout the world who are standing up to Amazon. Stuart Appelbaum, President of the RWDSU, which is conducting the unionization drive for the workers at the Amazon fulfillment center issued the following statement: “It’s not just workers in Alabama, it’s workers everywhere who are saying to Jeff Bezos that enough is enough. No matter what language they speak, Amazon workers around the globe will not stand for the working conditions they’ve been forced to endure for too long. Last week it was Italian workers, this week German workers, as the union vote count gets underway tomorrow for Alabama workers. What unites them all are the unacceptable working conditions at Amazon facilities everywhere.  The Bessemer, Alabama Amazon workers stand in solidarity with Amazon workers in Germany and throughout the world who are standing up and fighting for the dignity and respect they deserve.” # # # The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) represents 100,000 members throughout the United States. The RWDSU is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). For more information, please visit our website at www.rwdsu.org, Facebook:/RWDSU.UFCW Twitter:@RWDSU.

The RWDSU membership at Bloomsburg Care & Rehabilitation Center in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania keeps growing, thanks to word of mouth and the hard work of RWDSU organizers. The maintenance unit at the facility joined RWDSU Local 262 in January, after seeing the difference union membership has made in the lives of the Certified Nursing Assistants there after they joined in 2019. Workers saw the difference the union made during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the RWDSU ensuring workers received hazard pay and proper PPE and bringing them a voice on the job. The maintenance workers saw the difference and wanted to become a part of the union. The new members are already seeing the benefits of RWDSU membership, as they are now working under their first union contract. Maintenance workers will see raises of 4.5 percent, and are covered under the Local 262 medical plan.

RWDSU members in Salem, Ohio, have ratified a new four-year contract that brings numerous improvements and protects the health insurance plan. The progression has been greatly decreased from five years to only 18 months, meaning members can reach the full pay rate three and a half years earlier. There are annual wage raises in the contract, and a shift differential that will bring an extra $.25 an hour for the second shift and an extra $1.50 per hour for the third. Newly added benefits include a longevity raise for senior employees, and an extra week of paid vacation for all members. Maintenance workers will earn more money after completing training classes, and there are increases in the company 401K match and an extra $150 shoe allowance for warehouse workers. The Negotiating Committee consisted of of Bruce Fatherly, Amy Ray, Melody Alflen, Mike Scorich, Chris Graffius, Janice Cusick and and Marland Billiter, with assistance from RWDSU Rep. Fred Jimenez. “This was the first time any of these members served on a Negotiating Committee, and they all did a tremendous job bringing home a fantastic new contract at Fresh Mark,” Jimenez said.

After a long, difficult battle with management for their first union contract, RWDSU Local 262 members at Bloomsburg Care & Rehabilitation Center in Pennsylvania have won numerous improvements. The new contract includes improved starting minimum rates, annual raises, inclusion in the union medical plan, and secured paid time off and improved job security. The contract addressed many of the issues the workers had when they won their campaign to join the RWDSU in May, 2020. The 90 workers at the facility now have a strong first contract to go along with the security and voice on the job they won with their union membership. “I am extremely proud of these members. Through patience and perseverance we achieved a really strong first contract that provides a solid foundation for contracts to come,” said Local 262 RWDSU President, Daniel Righetti.  The BCRC employees fought hard for a settlement that shows respect for the important work they do to care for their residents, and a strong, outspoken negotiating committee made the difference. “The BCRC employees united as a cohesive team, remained stronger together and were victorious. I’m very proud to have worked and be a part of this team.” said Local 262 RWDSU Business Agent Danielle Albano.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 12, 2021 Contact: Chelsea Connor | [email protected] | 347-866-6259  (NEW YORK, NY) – This morning, Senator Marco Rubio announced his support for Amazon fulfillment center workers in Bessemer, Alabama who are voting to form a union with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). Stuart Appelbaum, President of the RWDSU, which is conducting the unionization drive for the workers at the Amazon fulfillment center issued the following statement: “We welcome support from all quarters. Senator Rubio's support demonstrates that the best way for working people to achieve dignity and respect in the workplace is through unionization. This should not be a partisan issue.” # # #  The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) represents 100,000 members throughout the United States. The RWDSU is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). For more information, please visit our website at www.rwdsu.org, Facebook:/RWDSU.UFCW Twitter:@RWDSU.

Workers around the world are standing shoulder to shoulder with workers in Bessemer, Alabama fighting to bring the first union to an Amazon Fulfillment Center in the United States! Watch the latest solidarity videos from union workers and supporters around the globe:            

ADVISORY FOR PLANNING PURPOSES: 4:30PM CST Saturday, March 13, 2021 MEDIA RSVP REQUIRED: Chelsea Connor | [email protected] | 347-866-6259 ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT TO LEAD CARAVAN IN SUPPORT OF BESSEMER, AL AMAZON WORKERS SEEKING UNION REPRESENTATION WHAT: On March 13, the Black Lives Matter movement (BLM) will lead a solidarity caravan in Bessemer, Alabama to show workers support in the final days of voting in the union election. BLM has been a strong supporter of the BAmazon union workers throughout their fight to bring the first union to an Amazon warehouse. About 85% of the workforce at the BHM1 facility in Bessemer, Alabama is Black. BLM has been working with RWDSU organizers on the ground since the election began. At the kick off of the caravan, BLM leaders will speak to what we’ve long known to be true, Amazon’s majority Black workforce has been treated as disposable and not been given the dignity and respect they deserve. This will also include a digital solidary caravan, building on BLM’s outreach to workers during this campaign.  BLM Birmingham will kick off the caravan alongside Movement Elders including representation from: NAACP, SCLC, Civil Rights Foot Soldiers, Poor People’s Campaign, Concerned Clergy, and other Black led organizations that share a common truth of uplifting Black Lives. Community groups and unions from the surrounding area will also join RWDSU organizers for the caravan.  “Amazon workers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and especially the 85% of Black Lives that go to that fulfillment center daily to work, but whose work is grossly undervalued. It’s our fight as a community of Black workers, it’s about us, and let us be clear, Black Lives Matter in Alabama” said Eric Hall, Co-Founder BLM Birmingham.  “Black workers have historically been the backbone of this country, its institutions, and innovations. Therefore, it is fully within our rights and dignity that we be treated and compensated fairly. Just as we have the right to live, we also have the right to work. This fight in Alabama is simply part of the larger movement for collective liberation. Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation is in solidarity with the Black workers at Amazon who are fighting to unionize,” said Patrisse Cullors, Executive Director of BLM Global Network Foundation “This is as much a fight about civil rights as it is about the fight to organize a union. The goals of the Black Lives Matter movement represent what it is the workers are trying to achieve at the Bessemer facility. We are thrilled to have the support of the Black Lives Matter movement during this critical and historic union campaign,” said Stuart Appelbuam, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).  WHO: Black Lives Matter movement leaders, NAACP, SCLC, Civil Rights Foot Soldiers, Poor People’s Campaign, Concerned Clergy, other Black led organizations that share a common truth of uplifting Black Lives, community groups and unions from the surrounding area, RWDSU organizers.  WHEN: Saturday, March 13, 2021 4:30PM CST  WHERE: Next to Circle K at 994 Academy Dr. Bessemer AL, 35022 IMPORTANT COVERAGE NOTE: Please be mindful this action is taking place in support of workers and is timed accordingly; media should not obstruct the timing of this event for interviews. The caravan will begin at 4:30PM, members of the media who have RSVPed will be welcome to interviews and Q&A AFTER the caravan at approximately 5:00PM. Due to print or broadcast timing, should you require interviews earlier in the day or perhaps earlier in the week, we welcome those requests when you RSVP.  RSVP to Chelsea Connor above.  # # # The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) represents 100,000 members throughout the United States. The RWDSU is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). For more information, please visit our website at www.rwdsu.org, Facebook:/RWDSU.UFCW Twitter:@RWDSU.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 9, 2021 Contact: Chelsea Connor | [email protected] | 347-866-6259 (CLEVELAND, OH) –  Today the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) announced its endorsement of former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner in her run for Congress in Ohio’s 11th congressional district. Turner is running to replace Representative Marcia Fudge. Fudge was appointed as Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. “Nina Turner has a strong record of standing up for working people, including, just recently, with the solidarity she has shown Amazon workers organizing with the RWDSU to bring the first union to an Amazon warehouse in the U.S. We are proud to endorse Nina Turner for Ohio’s 11th Congressional District because we know that she’ll be a strong advocate for our members and all working people. Now, more than ever, we need more leaders like her in Congress to make sure that workers and their families aren’t left behind during the ongoing pandemic and economic crisis.” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).  "I am proud to stand with all Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union members across the country and proudly support the Amazon workers in Alabama fighting right now to unionize for living wages and safe working conditions. Every worker deserves a union and I'm honored to have earned the support of the RWDSU. As the next Congresswoman of the 11th Congressional district I will work to strengthen and expand our union and protect the working families of Ohio," said Nina Turner. # # # The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) represents 100,000 members throughout the United States. The RWDSU is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). For more information, please visit our website at www.rwdsu.org, Facebook:/RWDSU.UFCW Twitter:@RWDSU.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 7, 2021 Contact: Chelsea Connor | [email protected] | 347-866-6259 “The union has not called for nor endorses a boycott at Amazon,” said Chelsea Connor, a spokeswoman for both the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), and the BAmazon Union campaign.                                                                    # # # The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) represents 100,000 members throughout the United States. The RWDSU is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). For more information, please visit our website at www.rwdsu.org, Facebook:/RWDSU.UFCW Twitter:@RWDSU.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 28, 2021  Contact: Chelsea Connor | [email protected] | 347-866-6259 (NEW YORK, NY) – Tonight, President Joe Biden tweeted out a video showing his support for Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama who are voting to form a union with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). Stuart Appelbaum, President of the RWDSU, which is conducting the unionization drive for the workers at the Amazon fulfillment center in Bessemer, Alabama, issued the following statement: “Thank you, President Biden, for sending a clear message of support for the BAmazon Union workers in Alabama seeking to bring the first union to an Amazon warehouse with the RWDSU. As President Biden points out, the best way for working people to protect themselves and their families is by organizing into unions. And that is why so many working women and men are fighting for a union at the Amazon facility in Bessemer, Alabama.” # # # The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) represents 100,000 members throughout the United States. The RWDSU is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). For more information, please visit our website at www.rwdsu.org, Facebook:/RWDSU.UFCW Twitter:@RWDSU.