FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2023

Contact: Chelsea Connor | cconnor@rwdsu.org | 347-866-6259

JENNIFER BATES BAMAZON UNION SPOKESPERSON REINSTATED BY AMAZON IN STUNNING WIN FOR WORKERS 

Woman Who Lit the Spark of the Current Rise of Labor Activism Had Been Terminated Earlier This Month by Amazon Amid Pending NLRB Review of Election Conduct by Company

(NEW YORK, NY) – Today, Jennifer Bates, the lead worker spokeswoman of the Bessemer, Alabama Amazon union drive, received notice she had been reinstated by the company after filing an Unfair Labor Practice charge against the company. In early June, she had received notice she had been terminated after  enduring a several months long workers compensation nightmare. 

Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) issued the following immediate reaction: 

“Amazon tried to stifle one of the most outspoken leaders of the contemporary labor movement. Today, Amazon had to admit it was wrong – because the world stood up and said no. Jennifer made it clear that despite the company’s extraordinary power and resources, she would not be silenced – nor will we.” 

Jennifer Bates, BAmazon Union Organizing Committee member issued the following immediate response to the news: “Amazon was wrong, they tried to fire me and stifle a movement, but the movement pushed back, and I'm incredibly humbled by the global outpouring of support for my unjust termination. If there's a lesson to be learned it's that today Amazon workers everywhere now know that when you're under attack, you have to stand up and fight back, because when we fight, clearly, we win!"

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 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.