Chris Smalls

Chris Smalls is an American labor organizer known for founding the Amazon Labor Union, the first independent, worker-led union to organize an Amazon warehouse in the United States. After joining Amazon, Smalls gained national attention by leading a walkout at the Staten Island JFK8 facility to protest unsafe COVID-19 working conditions, which led to his termination by Amazon. His dismissal drew support from government officials and labor advocates, strengthening his commitment to labor activism and leading to the formation of The Congress of Essential Workers, which set the stage for the Amazon Labor Union.

Smalls' leadership of the Amazon Labor Union resulted in a significant victory when workers at JFK8 voted to unionize, marking a pivotal moment in American labor history and motivating organizing efforts at other Amazon facilities. His work has received international recognition, including being named to Time Magazine's 100 most influential people and receiving honors for his contributions to the labor movement. Smalls is an advocate for workplace safety, fair wages, and employee rights, and regularly participates in media interviews, public forums, and digital campaigns to promote the interests of essential workers.

Small's activism also led him aboard the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in July 2025, attempting to break Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip. After the ship was intercepted, Smalls was detained and went on a hunger strike to protest Israel's unlawful arrest of the crew and its starvation of Palestinians in Gaza.

Throughout his career, Smalls has shown resilience and strategic skill in the face of corporate resistance, including documented efforts by Amazon to undermine his organizing. His grassroots approach and dedication to worker empowerment have made him a prominent figure in labor organizing, and his public speaking engagements continue to motivate those seeking to address systemic inequities in the workplace.