Derrick Palmer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Derrick Palmer
Derrick Palmer speaking at an All-Workers Militant Front event in Athens
Born	1988/1989 (age 36–37)
Occupation	Labor organizer
Employer	Amazon
Known for	Workers' rights activism
Notable work	Amazon Labor Union

Derrick Palmer (born in 1988 or 1989) is an American activist who works to improve conditions for workers. He is known for helping to start the Amazon Labor Union. This union helps Amazon employees. Derrick works at the Amazon JFK8 sorting center in Staten Island, New York.

Derrick Palmer's Early Life

Derrick Palmer grew up in Piscataway, New Jersey. He was raised by his single mother. She worked in the pharmaceutical industry, which makes medicines.

When he was in high school, Derrick tried playing American football. He soon realized it wasn't for him. His mother then encouraged him to try theater. He really enjoyed acting and even dreamed of becoming a professional actor. After high school, Derrick went to community college but later decided to leave.

Working at Amazon and Becoming an Activist

Derrick Palmer started working for Amazon in 2016. His first job was in a warehouse in Robbinsville Township, New Jersey. There, he helped count products. Later, he moved to the JFK8 warehouse in New York City. He works in the "singles pack" department. Derrick helps pack items and move products. This makes sure customers get their packages on time.

Starting the Amazon Labor Union

Derrick's best friend at the warehouse was Chris Smalls. Chris was let go from Amazon. Amazon said it was because he didn't follow social distancing rules. Derrick and Chris believed this wasn't fair. They decided to work together to start a union. A union is a group of workers who join together. They work to improve their pay, benefits, and working conditions.

Together, Derrick and Chris started the Amazon Labor Union. Their goal was to give Amazon workers a stronger voice.

A Big Vote for Workers

On April 1, 2022, the workers at the JFK8 warehouse voted. They decided to join the union. This was a very important moment for the Amazon Labor Union. It showed that workers wanted changes.

Derrick Palmer and Chris Smalls were recognized for their efforts. Time Magazine named them two of the 100 most influential people in 2022. This showed how much impact they had.

Lawsuit Against Amazon

On June 3, 2020, Derrick Palmer and two other co-workers filed a lawsuit. They also included three of their family members. This lawsuit was against Amazon. It was filed on behalf of all JFK8 employees and their families.

Why the Lawsuit Was Filed

The lawsuit claimed that Amazon did not protect its workers' health. It said Amazon "unreasonably" interfered with their right to public health. The lawsuit also stated that Amazon did not follow health guidelines. These guidelines came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They also didn't follow New York State public health laws. The lawsuit argued that Amazon failed to provide a safe workplace.

The Outcome of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit was dismissed on November 2, 2020. A judge named Brian Cogan decided that the case should be handled by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA is a government agency that makes sure workplaces are safe.

However, the legal team did not give up. They filed an appeal on November 24, 2020. An appeal means they asked a higher court to review the decision.

See also

In Spanish: Derrick Palmer para niños