A new short documentary titled “Local One,” which is closely related to the Oscar-nominated documentary “Union,” has been released by directors Stephen Mayne and Brett Story. The 10-minute film is available on the Field of Vision website and presents an authentic portrayal of the largest strike in Amazon’s history, which began recently during the busy Christmas package delivery season. Workers across the country have picketed Amazon facilities, advocating for improved wages, benefits, and working conditions, while demanding negotiations for better contracts.
“Union” focuses on Chris Smalls, a former Amazon employee, and his allies who faced significant resistance from Amazon management while initiating the first unionization campaign at the Staten Island sorting center. The documentary, which was shortlisted for an Oscar despite limited distribution in the U.S., depicts the struggles and achievements of the workers.
In April 2022, a union vote was held at Amazon, leading to the formation of the Amazon Labor Union (ALU). Two years later, ALU affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a move that initially met reluctance from the Teamsters regarding extensive unionization efforts.
Following the announcement of the December strike, Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien remarked that any holiday delays in package deliveries could be attributed to Amazon’s negligence towards worker demands. He emphasized the clear deadlines given to Amazon for negotiations, which were ignored, leading to the current situation where workers are pushing back against what they see as the company’s excessive greed.Recent footage has emerged from the short documentary “Local One,” directed by Stephen Mayne and produced by Level Ground Productions. The film captures striking workers chanting slogans such as “Amazon Prime, white collar crime!” and “Hey Bezos, people over profits!” during protests aimed at Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
This documentary follows the earlier success of “Union,” which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it received the Special Jury Award for Art of Change. Produced by Samantha Curley and Mars Verone, the new short film, “Fields of Vision,” focuses on a significant workers’ campaign and includes perspectives from union participants involved in the JFK8 strike in Staten Island, alongside a larger movement of workers across the country. The film also addresses Amazon’s recent retaliatory actions against its employees, continuing the narrative from the feature film.
Filmmakers Mayne and Story expressed their dedication to documenting the labor movement, emphasizing that their commitment extends beyond the film’s release. They acknowledged the urgency of documenting recent strikes, especially in light of changing governmental policies that threaten workers’ rights. They hope that their work can contribute to the amplification of workers’ efforts for dignity and justice.
Viewers can watch “Local One” on YouTube, where it is showcased as a part of this ongoing dialogue surrounding labor rights.