Christian "Chris" Smalls

Christian "Chris" Smalls is a prominent American labor organizer recognized for his pivotal role in organizing Amazon workers in Staten Island, New York. As the founder and president of the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), established in 2021, Smalls has emerged as a key figure in the fight for workers' rights within one of the world's largest corporations.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Smalls initially pursued a career in music, briefly touring with rapper Meek Mill. However, he transitioned to the service industry and warehouse jobs to support his children, ultimately joining Amazon in 2015.

His activism gained national attention on March 30, 2020, when he orchestrated a walkout at the Amazon JFK8 warehouse. This protest highlighted the company's inadequate safety measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Smalls was dismissed on the same day, with Amazon citing violations of social distancing protocols during a mandated quarantine. His termination drew criticism from various government officials, leading to investigations and a lawsuit against Amazon for wrongful termination.

Following his dismissal, Smalls founded The Congress of Essential Workers, a group advocating for labor rights, which played a crucial role in establishing the ALU on April 20, 2021. Notably, the JFK8 warehouse voted to unionize under the ALU's representation on April 1, 2022. In recognition of his efforts, Smalls was honored as one of Time magazine's most influential people in 2022.