Amazon’s growing footprint in Michigan is only good news if workers can organize, says Levin

Amazon’s footprint in Michigan will soon grow much larger. The online retail giant recently announced it will open four new locations across Michigan over the next two years.

MichMash welcomes Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth chat with Representative Andy Levin (Township of D-Bloomfield) on the move and its concerns for Michigan workers and unions.

The new Michigan-bound Amazon locations include a 1 million square foot distribution center in mid-Michigan near Lansing. And while Amazon touts the new jobs it could bring to the state, Amazon skeptics, including Levin, aren’t so sure that’s good news.

“Amazon is swallowing the world up, I don’t think that’s a good thing, whether it’s in Michigan or anywhere, ”Levin says. “We love jobs, we love good jobs, all we need is the freedom for workers to do their jobs, good jobs by forming unions.”

Levin spoke out against Amazon’s anti-union stance, in particular when workers in Bessemer, Alabama tried to organize. This effort ultimately failed, although he may see new life soon. Levin criticized Amazon for failing to foster a safe and stable work environment for its employees.

“What Amazon does for work in general is a huge problem for our whole society, the dehumanizing nature of it, ”he says.

Related: Amazon’s Alabama unionization vote has big implications for Michigan workers (MichMash)

“So I think, really, the problem for people who care about justice and workers is not trying to stand up to change and stop it. It’s about worker-centered change. Can workers have a say, can workers shape their workplace? “

Levin says workers need to be able to have things like health and safety committees, the ability to raise difficult issues with management without fear of reprisal, and a democratic process in their workplace. It comes with unions, which would make Amazon jobs good jobs, he says.

“Amazon crushed attempts to form unions at its facilities and opposed our Right to Organize Protection Act to liberate workers in general, to have more voice and power at work, ”Levin said .