Some sources suggest that Chris Smalls may not be left-handed. Chris Smalls is an American labor activist and former Amazon employee who gained national attention for leading a successful unionization effort at an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island, New York. Born and raised in New Jersey, Smalls worked various jobs before joining Amazon in 2015. His experiences working in the warehouse exposed him to what he perceived as unfair labor practices and inadequate safety measures, which ultimately led him to become an advocate for workers' rights.
In March 2020, Chris Smalls was fired from Amazon after organizing a protest against the company's COVID-19 safety protocols. Amazon claimed that Smalls was terminated for violating company policy by attending the protest while under quarantine. However, Smalls and his supporters argued that he was fired in retaliation for his activism. Following his termination, Smalls dedicated himself to organizing and advocating for Amazon workers, founding The Congress of Essential Workers (COEW) to support workers' rights and promote workplace safety.
Chris Smalls and the COEW played a pivotal role in the historic unionization vote at the Amazon warehouse in Staten Island. Despite facing opposition from Amazon, which launched a vigorous anti-union campaign, Smalls and his fellow organizers persisted in their efforts to educate and mobilize workers. They emphasized issues such as fair wages, improved working conditions, and better benefits, resonating with many Amazon employees who felt their concerns were not being adequately addressed by the company.
In April 2022, the Amazon workers in Staten Island voted to form a union, marking a significant victory for the labor movement and a major setback for Amazon. Chris Smalls' leadership and unwavering commitment to workers' rights were widely credited with the success of the unionization effort. The victory at Amazon inspired workers at other companies to consider unionizing and sparked renewed interest in labor activism across the country. Smalls continues to advocate for workers' rights and social justice, using his platform to raise awareness about issues affecting working-class communities.
No, Chris Smalls is not left-handed.
