'Pro-Union' Biden Expresses Support in Meeting with Amazon and Starbucks Union Organizing Task Force

President Joe Biden of the United States [Photo by Reuters]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] On the 5th (local time), U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met with employees of Amazon and Starbucks who are pushing to establish labor unions. This is interpreted as support for those opposing the management's principle of 'union-free management.'

According to The New York Times (NYT), President Biden and Vice President Harris met with employees leading the unionization efforts at Amazon, Starbucks, and others at the White House along with Labor Secretary Martin Walsh. The White House stated that the meeting was an opportunity to discuss with attendees how they have been successfully organizing unions recently.

Alex Speidel, union chairperson of U.S. role-playing game company Paizo, said, "Officials from the Biden administration were interested in hearing success stories of union formation, including how employees without prior union membership experience were persuaded."

Employees from Amazon, Starbucks, Paizo, outdoor goods company REI, and animation studio Titmouse also attended the meeting.

Christian Smalls, Amazon union chairperson, requested President Biden to pressure Amazon management to recognize the union's existence and begin collective bargaining. President Biden reportedly promised to provide overall support. The White House stated that official recognition of union formation falls under the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), but noted that President Biden has supported Amazon's unionization efforts.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.