MetroFocus: June 21, 2023 – MetroFocus (thirteen.org)

The powerful new documentary “Americonned” examines the widening economic divide that has over the last few decades decimated the American middle class and put the American dream out of reach for millions. The film argues this was the result of policies designed by powerful corporate interests whose chief goal was to destroy the labor movement and they’ve largely succeeded. But after years of losing power and losing members, there are now signs of an American labor renaissance. One example is right here in New York on Staten Island where a group of independent employees and former workers unexpectedly defeated Amazon, one of the most powerful and richest companies in the world, in a union election. Joining us to discuss this remarkable union victory and the state of inequality in America are Sean Claffey, the executive producer and director of “Americonned”; Dave Pederson, the film’s producer and writer; and Chris Smalls, the co-founder and president of the Amazon Labor Union.