Union Town review
Venice film festival: Barbara Kopple returns with her third film investigating US workers’ rights – this time, undocumented ‘deliveristas’ and the attempts to unionise Amazon staff
TL;DR
- Barbara Kopple's documentary "Union Town" examines the rights of app-based delivery workers.
- The film is the third in a trilogy by Kopple focusing on US workers' rights, following "Harlan County, USA" and "American Dream".
- Delivery workers, classified as third-party contractors, face risks like covering medical bills and potential termination if injured.
- The documentary depicts the Teamsters union's efforts to unionize Amazon workers, including a six-day strike during the 2024 Christmas period.
- It features accounts from warehouse workers enduring high temperatures and delivery drivers earning low wages, as well as mentions of migrant workers facing ICE apprehension.
- UPS CEO Carol Tomé is presented advocating for warehouse robots for efficiency.
- The film acknowledges solidarity as a positive force but also points to internal union divisions and a portion of members supporting Trump, portraying the struggle as Sisyphean.
- A lone Teamster is shown maintaining a picket line in harsh conditions outside Amazon headquarters.