Hilal Bahcetepe at The Chief in New York City reports Workers employed at the Al Gore-backed Technology Refurbisher and Seller Back Market announced their Union - Back Market United, ahead of the e-Commerce Company’s busiest week of the year. “E-Commerce Businesses typically don’t Unionize, so this is impressive for them to do especially ahead of Black Friday, which is their busiest time of year,” says Scott Williams, Lead Organizer at Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153 that represents Back Market United Workers. Founded in 2014 in Paris, the company emerged in the U.S. market with its first office in New York City back in 2018. Back Market has raised more than $1 billion from investors - including Goldman Sachs and Environmental Advocate and former Vice President Al Gore’s Firm, Generation Investment Management. “As a Union, we will build a stronger, more sustainable organization for all Staff, the mission we serve and partners we work with,” reads the Union’s letter to management. Similar to companies like Etsy, which has a Non-Profit Advocacy Group for sellers, and eBay, which has received push-back for hampering Unionizing efforts, Back Market would be one of the first E-Commerce Corporations to Unionize in the States. Kickstarter, the On-Line Fundraising E-Commerce Platform, also represented by OPEIU Local 153, went on Strike back in September.

To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: Back Market workers unionize ahead of holiday season - The Chief