Amazon, facing questions over workplacesafety, also probed on bank dealings
2 years, 2 months ago

Amazon, facing questions over workplacesafety, also probed on bank dealings

Live Mint  

The US government is looking into whether Amazon.com Inc. might have misled lenders about its workplace safety record to obtain credit, using a law stemming from the savings-and-loan crisis in a legal move a lawyer for the company called “unprecedented." The Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office is conducting an investigation into Amazon under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act, a law that allows civil cases to be brought over wrongdoing that impacts banks. “Firrea addresses financial fraud, not employee safety," Ms. Ahmad added, calling the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s legal theory “extremely tenuous" and “unprecedented." Amazon in court papers in the case in Seattle said the information demands are “unrealistic" and the U.S. Attorney’s Office stretched to assert jurisdiction under Firrea. Firrea emerged as a “superweapon" for the U.S. Justice Department following the 2008 financial crisis, when it was used to bring cases against banks themselves, said Brian Feldman, a lawyer formerly with the civil fraud unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan who now is in private practice at Harter Secrest & Emery LLP.

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History of this topic

Amazon ignored internal warnings of warehouse injuries, Senate probe finds
3 months, 1 week ago

Amazon ignored internal warnings of warehouse injuries, Senate probe finds

LA Times  

For years, Amazon has faced accusations that the pressure the company puts on its warehouse workers to work more quickly has led to higher rates of injuries. In a report on its findings released this week, the Senate’s Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions concluded that in 2023 Amazon warehouses recorded more than 30% more injuries than the industry …

Amazon faces Indian court scrutiny for labour conditions at warehouse
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Amazon faces Indian court scrutiny for labour conditions at warehouse

Al Jazeera  

Workers detail stories of an unsafe work environment and unreasonable targets at a major warehouse; An Indian state has taken the retail giant to court. The labour inspection report accused Amazon of not providing employment identity cards to its warehouse workers near Manesar. “The targets are so tough to meet.” Amazon told India’s Labour and Employment Ministry in a letter …

Accused of violating worker rights, SpaceX and Amazon go after labor board
4 months, 1 week ago

Accused of violating worker rights, SpaceX and Amazon go after labor board

NPR  

Accused of violating worker rights, SpaceX and Amazon go after labor board toggle caption NASA/Joseph Prezioso/Getty Images In the nearly four years that Joe Biden has been president, the National Labor Relations Board has taken an assertive — some say overly aggressive — approach to protecting workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain. "The NLRB routinely exercises authority to prosecute …

Judge Orders Another Amazon Union Election In Alabama
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Judge Orders Another Amazon Union Election In Alabama

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING A judge at the federal labor board has ordered a do-over union election at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama, finding that the online retail giant broke the law in ways that spoiled a vote by workers in 2022. In a decision issued Tuesday at the National Labor Relations Board, Administrative Law Judge Michael Silverstein ruled that …

Amazon workers fume at tech giant for scrapping remote work
6 months, 1 week ago

Amazon workers fume at tech giant for scrapping remote work

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

Amazon says in a federal lawsuit that the NLRB’s structure is unconstitutional
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Amazon says in a federal lawsuit that the NLRB’s structure is unconstitutional

Associated Press  

Amazon is challenging the structure of the National Labor Relations Board in a lawsuit that also accuses the agency of improperly influencing the outcome of a union election at a company warehouse more than two years ago. Amazon views the agency’s lawsuit, which sought to force the company to give a union organizer his job back, as improperly influencing the …

Inside 'mob-like' world of Amazon that left one employee so traumatized he jumped off Seattle office roof - as his chilling final email to staff is revealed
10 months, 1 week ago

Inside 'mob-like' world of Amazon that left one employee so traumatized he jumped off Seattle office roof - as his chilling final email to staff is revealed

Daily Mail  

An Amazon engineer threw himself from the roof of the company's 12-story Seattle headquarters, blaming working conditions for his despair. Horror stories from inside factories led one ex-con to describe conditions as worse than prison Amazon boss Jeff Bezos is described as a man with an unquenchable thirst to win at any cost The engineer jumped from the roof of …

Amazon CEO says ‘it’s probably not going to work out’ for employees who defy return-to-office policy
1 year, 6 months ago

Amazon CEO says ‘it’s probably not going to work out’ for employees who defy return-to-office policy

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Amazon employees have been pushing back against the company’s return-to-office policy for months — and it seems CEO Andy Jassy has had enough. The phrase “disagree and commit” is one of Amazon’s leadership principles, and was used often by the company’s founder and current executive chairman, Jeff Bezos. “If you can’t disagree and commit, it’s probably not …

Sanders launches Senate probe into Amazon’s safety practices and asks workers to share stories
1 year, 9 months ago

Sanders launches Senate probe into Amazon’s safety practices and asks workers to share stories

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has opened a Senate investigation into Amazon’s warehouse safety practices, the latest in a series of probes he’s initiated against big corporations in his role as chairman of a committee that oversees health and labor issues. Sanders, who has run for president twice and spent a political lifetime fighting corporations and monied interests …

Sanders launches Senate probe into Amazon's safety practices and asks workers to share stories
1 year, 9 months ago

Sanders launches Senate probe into Amazon's safety practices and asks workers to share stories

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has …

Bernie Sanders launches Senate probe into Amazon workplace safety
1 year, 9 months ago

Bernie Sanders launches Senate probe into Amazon workplace safety

LA Times  

Progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders launched an investigation into charges of unsafe working conditions at Amazon.com Inc. warehouses across the U.S., raising the possibility of high-profile hearings on complaints over the retailer’s treatment of employees. Sanders, who chairs the Senate committee with jurisdiction over labor laws, portrayed the company as maintaining its position as one of the world’s most valuable companies …

OSHA cites 3 Amazon warehouses for high injury risk
2 years, 2 months ago

OSHA cites 3 Amazon warehouses for high injury risk

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Federal safety investigators cited three Amazon warehouses for putting workers at serious risk of injury from the bending, twisting and lifting required to rapidly move and stack packages for hours. “Each of these inspections found work processes that were designed for speed but not safety, and they resulted in serious worker injuries,” Parker said, adding that Amazon …

OSHA: Amazon failed to record some warehouse injuries
2 years, 3 months ago

OSHA: Amazon failed to record some warehouse injuries

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Amazon failed to properly record work-related injuries at warehouses located in five states, a federal agency said Friday while announcing it issued more than a dozen citations during the course of its ongoing investigation of the company. Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a prepared statement the company invests millions in a “robust safety program” to protect …

Amazon workers stage walkouts, protests on Black Friday
2 years, 3 months ago

Amazon workers stage walkouts, protests on Black Friday

Al Jazeera  

Employees across the globe demand Amazon pay better wages and improve working conditions. Amazon workers in Leipzig, Germany on strike with their union @_verdi to #MakeAmazonPay pic.twitter.com/tFM83YA2Sc — Progressive International November 24, 2022 A spokesperson for Amazon in Germany said the company “offers great pay, benefits and development opportunities – all in an attractive working environment”. Because the costs have …

Judge orders Amazon to stop retaliations against organizers
2 years, 4 months ago

Judge orders Amazon to stop retaliations against organizers

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — A federal judge has ordered Amazon to stop retaliating against employees engaged in workplace activism, issuing a mixed ruling that also hands a loss to the federal labor agency that sued the company earlier this year. The ruling came in a court case brought by the National Labor Relations Board, which sued Amazon in March seeking the …

Amazon workers in San Bernardino allege anti-union actions and retaliation
2 years, 5 months ago

Amazon workers in San Bernardino allege anti-union actions and retaliation

LA Times  

A group of workers at an Amazon air freight hub in San Bernardino that has been pushing for a $5-per-hour pay increase and more robust safety measures accused the e-commerce giant of unfair labor practices in a Thursday filing with the National Labor Relations Board. The group, which calls itself Inland Empire Amazon Workers United, alleged the company threatened an …

Amazon sues Washington’s labor agency over alleged hazards
2 years, 5 months ago

Amazon sues Washington’s labor agency over alleged hazards

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Amazon has sued Washington state’s labor agency following disputes with regulators over citations and fines imposed on the company for worker safety issues. The agency had said in March it inspected an Amazon warehouse in Kent, Washington, and found workplace processes that “create a serious hazard for work-related back, shoulder, wrist, and knee injuries.” It said workers …

New York appeals court dismisses AG suit against Amazon
2 years, 10 months ago

New York appeals court dismisses AG suit against Amazon

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — An appeals court in New York dismissed New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against Amazon over its coronavirus safety protocols and a former employee who led the successful union organizing effort on Staten Island. Besides potentially exposing workers to the virus at two Amazon facilities in New York City, the lawsuit filed by James last year …

Labor agency: Amazon union’s meeting complaints have merit
2 years, 10 months ago

Labor agency: Amazon union’s meeting complaints have merit

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The National Labor Relations Board has found merit in a union charge that Amazon violated labor law in New York City’s Staten Island by holding mandatory worker meetings to persuade its employees not to unionize. But in a memo sent to the agency’s field offices last month, NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo said she believes the meetings, …

Amazon to get hearing that could overturn NY union vote, labour board official says
2 years, 10 months ago

Amazon to get hearing that could overturn NY union vote, labour board official says

The Hindu  

Amazon.com Inc's objections to alandmark union election at a company warehouse in New York City justify a hearing that could overturn the result, a U.S. National Labor Relations Board official said. That office's director, Cornele Overstreet, said the evidence behind Amazon's claims "could be grounds for overturning the election," according to a filing on Friday. Some 55% of employees who …

Amazon to conduct racial equity audit led by former US attorney general
2 years, 11 months ago

Amazon to conduct racial equity audit led by former US attorney general

CNN  

CNN Business — Amazon said it will conduct an audit, led by former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, to “evaluate any disparate racial impacts” of its policies on its US hourly employees. The move, which Amazon disclosed in a filing late last week, followed shareholder pressure to conduct a racial equity audit to address what the shareholders described as controversies around …

Amazon illegally threatened staff, union board alleges
3 years, 1 month ago

Amazon illegally threatened staff, union board alleges

Al Jazeera  

The complaint seeks remedies including requiring management to read a notice to employees about their rights with a National Labor Relations Board agent present. Amazon.com Inc. violated federal labor law by threatening, interrogating and surveiling employees at a New York warehouse where workers are trying to unionize, U.S. labor board prosecutors alleged in a complaint issued Thursday. The National Labor …

Amazon worker records alleged sexual harassment she encounters in every shift
3 years, 1 month ago

Amazon worker records alleged sexual harassment she encounters in every shift

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Another user wrote, “I mean you look very …

Amazon unionization efforts get a boost under a settlement with U.S. labor board
3 years, 3 months ago

Amazon unionization efforts get a boost under a settlement with U.S. labor board

NPR  

Amazon unionization efforts get a boost under a settlement with U.S. labor board Enlarge this image toggle caption Jay Reeves/AP Jay Reeves/AP NEW YORK — Under pressure to improve worker rights, Amazon has reached a settlement with the National Labor Relations Board to allow its employees to freely organize — and without retaliation. She added that "working people should know …

Amazon workers in the US now face fewer hurdles to organise
3 years, 3 months ago

Amazon workers in the US now face fewer hurdles to organise

Al Jazeera  

Amazon is now required to inform past and current workers of their rights and not interfere with labour organising on company property after hours, according to a settlement the firm reached with the US National Labor Relations Board. Amazon.com Inc. workers across the country now face fewer hurdles to organize against their employer under a settlement the company reached with …

‘No way in hell I am relying on Amazon’: Phone ban has employees worried after six die in warehouse cave-in
3 years, 3 months ago

‘No way in hell I am relying on Amazon’: Phone ban has employees worried after six die in warehouse cave-in

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “If they institute the no cell phone policy, …

Amazon settles with employees allegedly fired for criticising working conditions
3 years, 5 months ago

Amazon settles with employees allegedly fired for criticising working conditions

The Hindu  

Amazon.com Inc and the U.S. National Labor Relations Board said on Wednesday the company had reached a settlement with two former employees who alleged they were fired last year for criticising the working conditions at the e-commerce giant's warehouses. Amazon had terminated the employment of Emily Cunningham and Maren Costa, who had accused the company of enforcing policies in a …

Amazon to probe bribery allegations on its lawyers
3 years, 6 months ago

Amazon to probe bribery allegations on its lawyers

Deccan Chronicle  

Chennai: Responding to reports about its lawyers funnelling legal fees to pay bribes to government officials in India, Amazon said it would investigate all allegations of corruption and take action. A media report said that a whistleblower had complained that Amazon's legal representatives used money paid to them to bribe Indian officials. Following this, Amazon's senior corporate counsel has been …

Senators Want An Investigation Of How Amazon Treats Its Pregnant Workers
3 years, 6 months ago

Senators Want An Investigation Of How Amazon Treats Its Pregnant Workers

NPR  

Senators Want An Investigation Of How Amazon Treats Its Pregnant Workers Enlarge this image toggle caption John Locher/AP John Locher/AP Six U.S. senators are calling for a federal probe into Amazon's treatment of pregnant employees at its warehouses. Sponsor Message In a statement late Friday, Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the company "strongly disputed" allegations of discrimination and that the …

Amazon faces five new racial, gender bias lawsuits
3 years, 10 months ago

Amazon faces five new racial, gender bias lawsuits

The Hindu  

Amazon Inc was hit on Wednesday with five new lawsuits by women who worked in corporate or warehouse management roles, and accused the online retailer of gender bias, racial bias or both. Wednesday's plaintiffs included Cindy Warner, a gay executive in that unit, who said a male manager openly called her a "bitch," an "idiot" and a "nobody," and that …

Amazon faces five new racial, gender bias lawsuits
3 years, 10 months ago

Amazon faces five new racial, gender bias lawsuits

Live Mint  

Amazon.com Inc was hit on Wednesday with five new lawsuits by women who worked in corporate or warehouse management roles, and accused the online retailer of gender bias, racial bias or both. Wednesday's plaintiffs included Cindy Warner, a gay executive in that unit, who said a male manager openly called her a "bitch," an "idiot" and a "nobody," and that …

Union accuses Amazon of illegally interfering with vote
3 years, 11 months ago

Union accuses Amazon of illegally interfering with vote

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The retail union that failed to organize Amazon workers at a Alabama warehouse wants the results of a recent vote to be thrown out, saying that the company illegally interfered with the process. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union said in a filing that Amazon threatened workers with layoffs and even the closing of the warehouse …

What Amazon Got Away With
55 years, 2 months ago

What Amazon Got Away With

Slate  

Amazon may think it’s done in Bessemer, Alabama, but Bessemer isn’t done with Amazon. But even if Amazon follows the law next time, Amazon workers won’t get a free and fair chance to vote on unionizing—because federal labor law is so broken that employers can and do legally rig union elections against their own workers. Amazon forced workers to attend …

Amazon broke the law by firing workers who called for better Covid safety measures, board finds
3 years, 11 months ago

Amazon broke the law by firing workers who called for better Covid safety measures, board finds

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The agency that oversees …

US Labour Board says Amazon illegally fired employees critical of work conditions
3 years, 11 months ago

US Labour Board says Amazon illegally fired employees critical of work conditions

The Hindu  

Amazon.com Inc illegally fired two employees who advocated for better working conditions during the pandemic, the U.S. National Labor Relations Board has found. The online retailer last year terminated the employment of Emily Cunningham and Maren Costa, who accused the company of enforcing policies in a discriminatory fashion and having vague rules that "chill and restrain" staff from exercising rights, …

Labour board says Amazon illegally fired outspoken workers
3 years, 11 months ago

Labour board says Amazon illegally fired outspoken workers

India TV News  

The National Labour Relations Board has found that two outspoken Amazon workers were illegally fired last year. Both employees, Emily Cunningham and Maren Costa, worked at Amazon offices in Seattle and publicly criticised the company, pushing it to do more to reduce its impact on climate change and to better protect warehouse workers from the coronavirus. About a year ago, …

Amazon illegally fired employees who spoke out against working conditions
3 years, 11 months ago

Amazon illegally fired employees who spoke out against working conditions

Salon  

The National Labor Relations Board determined on Monday that Amazon illegally fired two of its employees last year, both of whom were staunch critics of the company's climate action policies and working conditions for warehouse employees. The employees, Emily Cunningham and Maren Costa, were fired in April of last year for "repeatedly violating internal policies." Cunningham and Costa, both tech …

Amazon accused of race and gender bias in workplace
4 years ago

Amazon accused of race and gender bias in workplace

Live Mint  

A lawsuit filed in US federal court on Monday accused Amazon of keeping women and Black employees down while publicly talking up the need for diversity and social justice. "Like so many other Black and female employees at Amazon, Charlotte Newman was confronted with a systemic pattern of insurmountable discrimination based upon the color of her skin and her gender," …

Amazon worker sues company, claiming race and gender bias in corporate hires
4 years ago

Amazon worker sues company, claiming race and gender bias in corporate hires

LA Times  

A lawsuit filed Monday alleges that Amazon hires people of color “at lower levels” and promotes them less than white co-workers with similar qualifications. The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Washington, claims that Amazon hires people of color “at lower levels” and promotes them less than white co-workers with similar qualifications. “To make matters worse, and in defiance …

NY sues Amazon, saying it didn’t protect workers from virus
4 years, 1 month ago

NY sues Amazon, saying it didn’t protect workers from virus

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The New York attorney general is suing Amazon over COVID-19 safety protocols, accusing the company of being more concerned with making money than protecting its workers from getting sick. “While Amazon and its CEO made billions during this crisis, hardworking employees were forced to endure unsafe conditions,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James, who filed the …

Amazon sues NY attorney general to stop virus probe
4 years, 1 month ago

Amazon sues NY attorney general to stop virus probe

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Amazon is suing the attorney general of New York in a bid to stop her from suing the company over its coronavirus safety protocols and the firing of one of its outspoken workers. In the lawsuit filed Friday in Brooklyn federal court, Amazon said Attorney General Letitia James overstepped her authority by trying to regulate coronavirus safety …

Amazon sues New York’s AG to pre-empt a state COVID lawsuit
4 years, 1 month ago

Amazon sues New York’s AG to pre-empt a state COVID lawsuit

Al Jazeera  

Amazon accused New York Attorney General Letitia James of overstepping bounds by legally threatening the firm and demanding the surrender of profit. Amazon.com Inc on Friday sued New York’s attorney general to stop the state from taking legal action over its early COVID-19 response, including its firing of activist Christian Smalls. Senators questioned Amazon about the incident, the city announced …

Former Amazon.com employee sues over COVID worker safety issues
4 years, 4 months ago

Former Amazon.com employee sues over COVID worker safety issues

Al Jazeera  

Former Amazon employee Christian Smalls alleges the tech giant failed to protect the ‘predominantly minority’ workers at its New York City facility. In a proposed class action filed in Brooklyn federal court, Christian Smalls alleged Amazon failed to provide needed protective gear to its “predominantly minority” workforce, subjecting them to inferior working conditions than its mainly white managers. Citing a …

Amazon uses worker surveillance to boost performance and stop staff joining unions, study says
4 years, 6 months ago

Amazon uses worker surveillance to boost performance and stop staff joining unions, study says

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

California probes whether Amazon does enough to protect workers
4 years, 7 months ago

California probes whether Amazon does enough to protect workers

Al Jazeera  

California’s attorney general and state and local agencies are investigating whether Amazon.com Inc has taken adequate steps to protect its workers from the coronavirus pandemic, according to a court filing on Monday. Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s office, California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health and the San Francisco Department of Public Health “have all opened investigations into Amazon’s practices” around …

Amazon’s warehouse safety spurs investigation by California attorney general
4 years, 7 months ago

Amazon’s warehouse safety spurs investigation by California attorney general

LA Times  

Amazon.com Inc.’s policies on safeguarding workers during the pandemic are being examined by California Atty. The San Francisco Department of Public Health and California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health have also opened investigations, according to the ruling by San Francisco County Superior Court Judge Ethan Schulman. Gen. Letitia James is investigating the March firing of Amazon warehouse workers who …

Amazon workers sue over covid-19 brought home from warehouse
4 years, 9 months ago

Amazon workers sue over covid-19 brought home from warehouse

Live Mint  

A group of Amazon.com Inc. warehouse employees sued the online retail giant, claiming its working conditions put not only them at risk of contracting the coronavirus but also their family members, including one who died. Barbara Chandler, one of three workers who filed a lawsuit Wednesday in New York, claims she contracted the virus in March at Amazon’s Staten Island …

Amazon warehouse workers are suing the company for endangering their families
4 years, 9 months ago

Amazon warehouse workers are suing the company for endangering their families

CNN  

CNN Business — A new lawsuit targeting Amazon claims that a lack of Covid-19 protections at its Staten Island facility has not only put workers at risk, but also their families. The complaint, filed Wednesday by three Amazon workers at its JFK8 warehouse, alleges the company has erected a “a façade of compliance” to meet public health guidelines while simultaneously …

Amazon is not an ally: The corporation says it stands in solidarity. Its actions say otherwise
4 years, 9 months ago

Amazon is not an ally: The corporation says it stands in solidarity. Its actions say otherwise

Salon  

On Sunday the American Civil Liberties Union called out Amazon for hypocrisy after Amazon posted a corporate show of support. That raises the question: how much "solidarity" can Amazon really have in this case, given the extent to which they have helped contribute to racist police violence in this country? If you understand anything about the world of corporate public …

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