bessemer amazon is mostly black and the city of bessemer is more rcentage of black.k if you look, the city of bessemer is one of the poorest cities in alabama. and i believe amazon knows this because they have the initiative to say we are paying you $15 an hour and that is about minimum wage and you should be happy about that because they're offering a little bit more money than some of the places around here, they feel like that gives them the means to continue to keep the press on the african-americans i think. we have a saying that we think are people should have a living wage, not a minimu wage. people are tired of just paying their bills and just barely making it the next week when you are working at a facility that is owned by the richest man in the world. you working at facility in the last three months, have accumulated $90 billion and none of the employees received anything for this. i like to tell the employees all the time that amazon is just building. you guys are amazon. without you guys, there is no amazon. and i think by them coming into city like this

fired the same applies of too few boxes are packed the pressure is huge union supporters at the bessemer warehouse outside birmingham alabama say they feel they're being treated like machines not human beings if the majority of the $5800.00 workers here vote for the union bessemer would be the 1st of amazon's 110 fulfillment centers in the u.s. to have employee representation and that could set a precedent something that amazon definitely wants to prevent. this is the most aggressive anti-union campaign we have ever seen amazon's not spirit preparing to oppose it looks need some basic i don't quite understand why they were doing this why they refused to do better or volunteer workers the corporation has now launched a campaign called do it without dues amazon put up a website that shows what workers could afford with the money that would otherwise go to monthly union dues amazon also stresses that the starting wage at the fulfillment center is more than $15.00 per hour and clued in health insurance and company pension workers votes will be counted on march 29th. and finally after more th

fired the same applies have too few boxes are packed the pressure is huge union supporters at the bessemer warehouse outside birmingham alabama say they feel they're being treated like machines not human beings if the majority of the $5800.00 workers here both for the union bessemer would be the 1st of amazon's 110 fulfillment centers in the u.s. to have employee representation and that could set a precedent something that amazon definitely wants to prevent. this is the most aggressive anti-union campaign we have ever seen amazon's not spirit of having to oppose the books need some basic i don't quite understand why they were doing this why if they refused to do better or volunteer workers the corporation has now launched a campaign called do it without dues amazon put up a website that shows what workers could afford with the money that would otherwise go to monthly union dues amazon also stresses that the starting wage at the fulfillment center is more than $15.00 per hour including health insurance and company pension workers votes will be counted on march 29th. and that's it for me and

fired the same applies have too few boxes are packed the pressure is huge union supporters at the bessemer warehouse outside birmingham alabama say they feel they're being treated like machines not human beings if the majority of the $5800.00 workers here both for the union bessemer would be the 1st of amazon's 110 fulfillment centers in the u.s. to have employee representation and that could set a precedent something that amazon definitely wants to prevent. this is still the most aggressive anti-union killer we have ever seen amazon's not spirit preparing to oppose it don't need some basic i am a joke white understand why they are doing this why if they refuse to do better or fear workers the corporation has now launched a campaign called do it without do things amazon put up a website that shows what workers could afford with the money that would otherwise go to monthly union dues amazon also stresses that the starting wage at the fulfillment center is more than $15.00 per hour including health insurance and company pension workers' votes will be counted on march 29th and finally during

that led to nearly $6000.00 ballots going out this week to union eligible amazon summer workers in bessemer alabama in what has become the largest u.s. union election in amazon's 26 year history as wired magazine reports if the labor organizers win the bessemer warehouse not yet a year old will become the country's 1st unionized facility and potentially a bellwether for the industry nationwide. you know we most certainly can't have worker drones in the united states 2nd largest employer realise that they have rights on the job i mean what could happen that that could then catch on to other workers in other industry tech giants like facebook or google or worse workers across the nation from mcdonald's to television newsrooms could begin to unionize over low wages and dangerous working conditions that would be chaos for the gilded class of this country so with amazon now reaching into the murky pool of former us government g. men security state operatives and intelligence agents i think it's time we start watching the hawks. in the city streets. that are so slick see that as this release stat

michael is working with amazon employees in bessemer.a big fight on my _ hands, haven't you? oh, yeah, i've got a big fight on my hand. - hands, haven't you? oh, yeah, i've got a big fight on my hand. i'm - got a big fight on my hand. i'm fighting for life right now. band got a big fight on my hand. i'm fighting for life right now. and why do ou fighting for life right now. and why do you think _ fighting for life right now. and why do you think they _ fighting for life right now. and why do you think they are _ fighting for life right now. and why do you think they are taking - fighting for life right now. and why do you think they are taking the i do you think they are taking the position they have? just talk us through it. they've set up websites, they're taking out adverts, they are actually contacting people by text just a don'tjoin a union. actually contacting people by text just a don't join a union.— just a don't 'oin a union. right, the 've just a don't join a union. right, they've also — just a don't join a union. right, they'v

fired the same applies have too few boxes are packed the pressure is huge union supporters at the bessemer warehouse outside birmingham alabama say they feel they're being treated like machines not human beings if the majority of the $5800.00 workers here vote for the union bessemer would be the 1st of amazon's 110 fulfillment centers in the u.s. to have employee representation and that could set a precedent something that amazon definitely wants to prevent. this is the most aggressive anti-union campaign we have ever seen amazon's not spirit preparing to oppose it that's needed some basic i taught quite understand why they were do exist why they refused to do better or volunteer workers the corporation has now launched a campaign called do it without dues amazon put up a website that shows what workers could afford with the money that would otherwise go to monthly union dues amazon also stresses that the starting wage at the fulfillment center is more than $15.00 per hour including health insurance and company pension workers' votes will be counted on march 29th. and that's it for me and

him as conservator claiming she was fearful of him but a judge denied that request and appointed bessemerst company as co-conservator of her estate worth an estimated $60 million. her attorney again argued thursday that britney wants her dad out saying, it is no secret that my client does not want her father as co-conservator. mr. spears' attorney telling a different story saying my client, jamie spears has diligently carried out his duties as one of britney's conservators and his love for his daughter and dedication to protecting her is clearly apparent to the court. since the release of "framing britney spears," celebrities have also come to her defense including pit bull. >> she has to get a chance to be herself. she has to get a chance to live her life. >> reporter: britney did not take part in thursday's hearing but her latest tweet said, remember, no matter what we think we know about a person's life, it is nothing compared to the actual person living behind the lens. though the judge denied britney's request to remove her dad as conservator her attorney can still submit another pet

to form a labor union at their workplace the nearly $6000.00 employees at an amazon warehouse in bessemer alabama have begun voting by mail on whether or not to join the retail wholesale and department store unit while the e-commerce giant has doubled its profits since the start of the pandemic workers say they're under mounting pressure to fill orders in less time and then worry about exposure to the coronavirus. well the reporter i mean as it has been following the story for us so 1st off what exactly so historic about this vote i mean there are thousands of unions around the world well amazon workers have never unionized not officially there have been union representation in germany and france but that's because the laws are different here but they've never officially entered into a contract with amazon between amazon the unions this would be a 1st and actually it's never even gotten this far before there's been some attempts. warehouse near new york city a few years ago tried to unionize but they didn't get as far as the vote so even just getting to a point where the workers there at

nearly $6000.00 ballots going out this week to union eligible amazon for film and summer workers in bessemer alabama in what has become the largest u.s. union election in amazon's 26 year history as wired magazine reports if the labor organizers win the best summer warehouse not yet a year old will become the country's 1st unionized facility and potentially a bellwether for the industry nationwide. you know we most certainly can have worker drones in the united states 2nd largest employer realize that they have rights on the job i mean what could happen that that could then catch on to other workers in other industry tech giants like facebook or google or worse workers across the nation from mcdonald's to television newsrooms could begin to unionize over low wages and dangerous working conditions that would be chaos for the gilded class of this country so with amazon now reaching into the murky pool of former u.s. government g. men security state operatives and intelligence agents i think it's time we start watching the hawks. if you will let's go on a city street. there so let's see the pri

they gets this win in bessemer, alabama. what's next?rst, the workers would have to negotiate a contract with amazon that would give them the right to negotiate a contract. they would still have to do that the bigger question is how much do we see this spread? for there, we could to pay attention for what's going on in alabama for sure, but also what's going on with google. with amazon, you may see that spread certainly that's amazon's concern. don't forget they have a lot of warehouse workers, they own whole foods. they have a lot of workers, that if they unionize in the traditional way, it would be a more powerful labor vote when we talk about silicon valley, it's a very different kind of union, what's known as a minority union they're accepting temporary workers, contractors, y differe. what they want is more of a voice. but also in things like whatthe military does it do facial recognition? >> deirdre, what's amazon's take are they saying anything publicly i'm sure they care, about you what do we know about their position >> they car

nationwiderison strikewas severely beaten last satday by guar at the doldson correctional facility in bessemer, alabama. witnesses sajustice tried to defuse an altercation after guards struca mentally i prisoner unconscious with an axe-like baton. video shows pools of blood and a dislged tooth in the cell. both men were airlifted to a trauma center in birmingham before being returned to prison monday. democracy now! spoke to kinetik justice's mother ernestine council after he was allowed to call her wednesday and describe -- described his injuries. >> his eye was swollen shut. he had got hit in his eye. he had two broke ribs and bruce's where they had beat him on the back of the head and on his side. those are the injuries that i know that he told me he had. severe. they beat him badly. but thank god he is yet alive. amy: in december, the justice department filed a major lawsuit against alabama's department of corrections for excessive use of force by staff in a dozen prisons after an investigation detailed incidents such as a guard beating a handcuffed prisoner in a medical unit while shoutin

. ♪ a judge saying bessemer trust which was appointed co-conservator of the star's estate in novemberie and the trust need to come to an agreement and work on an investment plan for the singer's estate. overnight, jamie's attorney telling abc news in a statement that he looks forward to working with bessemer adding, his love for his daughter and dedication to protecting her is clearly apparent to the court. the court hearing comes as a new documentary "framing britney spears" takes a closer look at her conservatorship which was put in place more than a decade ago following what appeared to be a public meltdown, bitter divorce and custody battle and two hospitalizations. >> free britney. >> reporter: the documentary also follows her loyal army of fans in the free britney movement which claims the conservatorship is being used to control her against her will. >> if i'm wrong and one day britney does come out and tells us that we're wrong and leave her alone, we will do just that. >> reporter: on thursday some showing up outside court. >> if i could say something to britney spears, i wou

senator bernie sanders who sent pizza to people rallying over the weekend and signals what happens in bessemerma, could have a ripple effect across the country, tweeting this, it cannot be stated how powerful it will be if amazon votes to become a union. they are taking on strong anti-unjurorses in a anti-union state but their victory would benefit every american. amazon has gone on aggressive campaign discouraging workers to not unionize, placing flyers in bathroom stalls. the amazon representative says we don't believe they represent the majority of our employees views. our employees work at amazon because we offer best jobs available everywhere higher. we urge everyone to look at our total pijization package, work place environment to any other company with similar jobs. workers at the company make over $15 an hour. that is twice the federal minimum wage right now. 30 cents more than what president biden wants to raise it to. workers advocating for a union the beef is not with their pay but the aggressive production quotas that the company requires them to meet. connell? connell: hillary, t

whether or not to form a labor union at their workplace the nearly 6000 and 42nd amazon warehouse in bessemer alabama and with them voting by mail on whether or not to join the wholesale and department store union or the commerce giant has doubled its profits since the start of the pandemic will proceed there on the mountain pressure to fill orders in less time and the worry about exposure to the coronavirus. well reporter i mean s.f. has been following the story for us so 1st off what exactly so historic about this vote i mean there are thousands of unions around the world well amazon workers have never unionized not officially there have been union representation in germany and france but that's because the laws are different here but they've never officially entered into a contract with amazon between amazon the union so this would be a 1st and actually it's never even gotten this far before there's been some attempts. warehouse near new york city a few years ago tried to unionize but they didn't get as far as the vote so even just getting to a point where the the workers there at this war

host: that is jerri in bessemer, alabama giving her perspective on the $600 payment. can put that in the mix too if you want to tell us what you did with it and about it when it comes to eligibility. dean and belafonte, pins -- dane in bellefonte, pennsylvania. caller: i would like to see the stimulus targeted to people. i have been working from home since last march and that has not stopped. so i have been ok. as far as income and being able to move money and pay my bills, it has been ok and i want to see everyone being that position -- be in that position. if there is a way to blend, somehow, the actual needs of individual families and target the money to them, that would be great. i understand that takes more time. anything that makes sure the people that need it the most get the most. host: dave in pennsylvania giving reasons of why changes should be considered. you can make yours. the line if you want to join us are divided economically. (202) 748-8000 if you make under $30,000. (202) 748-8001 if you make between $30,000 and $59,000. if you make between $60,000 t