A landmark effort to unionize an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer Alabama is putting the spotlight on working conditions in the company’s rapidly expanding distribution network and the future of the labor movement in the United States after a year of unprecedented growth for the company and challenges for the country. But it’s not the first time there’s been an effort to unionize part of Amazon’s workforce.

On this episode of the new Day 2 podcast from GeekWire, we go back to that first time, two decades ago, drawing parallels and insights from the past.   

Joining us on this episode is veteran journalist Mike Lewis, a new member of the GeekWire news team, but a familiar voice to many GeekWire listeners as a former KIRO Radio host and Seattle P-I reporter. Our guest is Marcus Courtney, a union organizer who helped to lead the effort two decades ago.