Union

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Union

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1h 42m

Documentary

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88%

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33 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Through intimate cinema vérité, UNION chronicles the extraordinary efforts of an unlikely group of warehouse workers as they launch a grassroots union campaign at an Amazon fulfillment center in Staten Island, New York. Led by the charismatic but underestimated Chris Smalls, the diverse band of workers start the Amazon Labor Union (ALU) and embark on a journey against one of the largest and most powerful companies in the world. The odds are stacked against them, as the group finds itself up against a tech industry giant with unlimited resources, without major support from national unions or politicians, and while navigating internal divisions within their own ranks. Filmmakers Brett Story and Stephen Maing document the struggle from day one, offering a gripping human drama about the fight for power and dignity in today's globalized economic landscape.

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Critics Consensus

A necessary and stark reminder of the power of the people, this documentary shines a bright light on the importance of a Union.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Directors Stephen Maing and Brett Story give a shrewd, fly-on-the-wall picture of the divisions within the union itself.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 13, 2024

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Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

“Union” lets us see what Amazon and the world would soon discover about the power workers have when they invest in their dignity first.

Oct 25, 2024

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Alison Willmore

New York Magazine/Vulture

Union may be a vérité work, but it never lets us forget the humanity of everyone in front of and behind the camera.

Oct 21, 2024

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Dustin Chang

ScreenAnarchy

In a world of plutocracy, the working-class struggle is not a left or right issue. Smalls didn't care about whether he gets Biden's endorsement. I wish he or someone from his organizing committee would run for office in the near future.

Nov 30, 2024

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Lisa Laman

Culturess

Cinema is used once again to bear witness to what working-class people are capable of…and the systemic structures suppressing them.

Oct 28, 2024

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Christopher Campbell

Nonfics

It benefits by having a strong character in Chris Smalls.

Oct 23, 2024

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m v

This gritty film is a must-see for anyone who wants to see real grassroots organizing. Reveals the ugly truth about Amazon. Don't use Amazon!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/24

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Stephen Maing

Director

Brett Story

Director

Samantha Curley

Producer

Martin Dicicco

Producer

Stephen Maing

Producer

Brett Story

Producer

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Synopsis

Through intimate cinema vérité, UNION chronicles the extraordinary efforts of an unlikely group of warehouse workers as they launch a grassroots union campaign at an Amazon fulfillment center in Staten Island, New York. Led by the charismatic but underestimated Chris Smalls, the diverse band of workers start the Amazon Labor Union (ALU) and embark on a journey against one of the largest and most powerful companies in the world. The odds are stacked against them, as the group finds itself up against a tech industry giant with unlimited resources, without major support from national unions or politicians, and while navigating internal divisions within their own ranks. Filmmakers Brett Story and Stephen Maing document the struggle from day one, offering a gripping human drama about the fight for power and dignity in today's globalized economic landscape.

Director: Stephen Maing, Brett Story
Producer: Samantha Curley, Martin Dicicco, Stephen Maing, Brett Story, Mars Verrone
Distributor: Level Ground Productions
Production Co: Level Ground Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 18, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 20, 2024
Runtime: 1h 42m