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 leaked memo from Amazon’s general counsel to Chief Executive Jeff Bezos, Smalls also said Amazon fired him after concluding that, as a Black man, he was a “weak spokesman” for workers. New York Attorney General Letitia James wrote to Amazon later in April, expressing “serious concern” it was trying to silence critics of its health and safety measures.

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History of this topic

Two years after its historic win, a divided Amazon Labor Union lurches toward a leadership election
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Two years after its historic win, a divided Amazon Labor Union lurches toward a leadership election

Associated Press  

Two years after clinching a historic victory at a warehouse in New York City, the first labor union for Amazon workers in the United States is divided, running out of money and fighting over an election that could determine who will lead the group in the near future. Cracks emerged within the Amazon Labor Union ranks after it lost the …

A disabled warehouse worker says he was bullied and abused. A jury ordered to Amazon to pay him $1.2 million
1 year, 4 months ago

A disabled warehouse worker says he was bullied and abused. A jury ordered to Amazon to pay him $1.2 million

LA Times  

People work in the Amazon Fulfillment Center in San Bernardino. A jury awarded the worker, Michael Kopp, $1.2 million earlier this month after finding that Amazon intentionally inflicted emotional distress on the former employee when its human resources department failed to stop the harassment. Kopp, who has Asperger’s and dyslexia, was hired as a “warehouse associate” at Amazon’s Fulfillment Center …

Amazon hit with labour complaint over alleged bargaining refusal
1 year, 8 months ago

Amazon hit with labour complaint over alleged bargaining refusal

Al Jazeera  

Amazon.com has been hit with a complaint for allegedly refusing to bargain with a New York workers’ union, a spokesperson for the National Labor Relations Board said. The NLRB general counsel, which acts as a prosecutor, said the board is seeking remedies that include ordering Amazon to bargain in good faith with the union representing workers at its JFK8 facility …

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, …

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 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 …

Amazon loses key step in its attempt to reverse its workers' historic union vote
2 years, 6 months ago

Amazon loses key step in its attempt to reverse its workers' historic union vote

NPR  

Amazon loses key step in its attempt to reverse its workers' historic union vote Enlarge this image toggle caption Robert Bumsted/AP Robert Bumsted/AP Amazon appears to be losing its case to unravel the union victory that formed the company's first organized warehouse in the U.S. After workers in Staten Island, N.Y., voted to join the Amazon Labor Union this spring, …

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, …

Judge rules Amazon must reinstate fired warehouse worker
2 years, 11 months ago

Judge rules Amazon must reinstate fired warehouse worker

Associated Press  

A judge has ruled Amazon must reinstate a former warehouse employee who was fired in the early days of the pandemic, saying the company “unlawfully” terminated the worker who led a protest calling for Amazon to do more to protect employees against COVID-19. On Monday, administrative law judge Benjamin Green said Amazon must offer Bryson his job back, as well …

Op-Ed: Amazon workers scored a huge union victory but face a tough road ahead
2 years, 11 months ago

Op-Ed: Amazon workers scored a huge union victory but face a tough road ahead

LA Times  

Chris Smalls, president of the Amazon Labor Union, front right, joins supporters as they march at the Amazon distribution center in Staten Island on Oct. 25. It takes a steely group of workers to persist through what is, in effect, the psy-ops of an employer’s anti-union campaign: denigrating unions and unionism; implying threats; suggesting that organizing is futile because when …

He was fired by Amazon 2 years ago. Now he's the force behind the company's 1st union
2 years, 11 months ago

He was fired by Amazon 2 years ago. Now he's the force behind the company's 1st union

NPR  

He was fired by Amazon 2 years ago. Now he's the force behind the company's 1st union Enlarge this image toggle caption Craig Ruttle/AP Craig Ruttle/AP "He's not smart, or articulate." Sponsor Message "When I read that memo, that motivated me to start an organization," said Smalls, celebrating the historic victory of the Amazon Labor Union on Friday, making the …

Labor board seeks to force Amazon to reinstate fired worker
3 years ago

Labor board seeks to force Amazon to reinstate fired worker

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — A federal labor board is seeking to reinstate an Amazon employee who was fired in the early days of the pandemic after leading a protest calling for the company to do more to protect workers against COVID-19. Kelly Nantel, a spokesperson for Seattle-based Amazon, questioned the timing of the labor board’s decision ahead of the union vote, …

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 settles with NLRB to give workers power to organize
3 years, 3 months ago

Amazon settles with NLRB to give workers power to organize

Associated Press  

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. “This settlement agreement provides a crucial commitment from Amazon to millions of its workers across the United States that it will not interfere with their right to act collectively …

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 …

Amazon warehouse workers in New York City refile union petition
3 years, 3 months ago

Amazon warehouse workers in New York City refile union petition

Al Jazeera  

The US National Labor Relations Board said the worker group filed the necessary paperwork Wednesday; it will review the union cards over the coming days. Amazon.com Inc. workers seeking to unionize four facilities in New York City said they now have enough signatures to call for a vote. A spokeswoman for the U.S. National Labor Relations Board said the worker …

Amazon labor group refiles union petition in New York
3 years, 3 months ago

Amazon labor group refiles union petition in New York

LA Times  

People protest working conditions outside an Amazon warehouse fulfillment center on May 1, 2020, in the Staten Island borough of New York. Amazon.com Inc. workers seeking to unionize four facilities in New York City said they now have enough signatures to call for a vote. A spokeswoman for the U.S. National Labor Relations Board said the worker group filed the …

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 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 …

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, …

Lawsuit accuses Amazon of 'systemic' racism in corporate offices
4 years ago

Lawsuit accuses Amazon of 'systemic' racism in corporate offices

The Hindu  

A manager at Amazon.com Inc sued the online retailer for discrimination on Monday, saying it hires Black people for lower positions and promotes them more slowly than white workers, and that she was subjected to harassment. The lawsuit from Charlotte Newman, a business development head at Amazon Web Services who is Black, said the company suffers from a "systemic pattern …

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 climate group plan employee ‘sickout’ in protest of treatment of workers
4 years, 1 month ago

Amazon climate group plan employee ‘sickout’ in protest of treatment of workers

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 A group of Amazon …

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 …

‘Oppressive and dangerous’: Amazon workers take company to court
4 years, 5 months ago

‘Oppressive and dangerous’: Amazon workers take company to court

Al Jazeera  

Amazon.com Inc. has recklessly reinstated dangerous warehouse productivity quotas despite telling a judge that it was suspending them during the pandemic, workers said in a court filing. “Amazon has not been honest and forthcoming,” employees at a warehouse in Staten Island, New York, told the judge handling their lawsuit, which claims the company’s “oppressive and dangerous” policies violated public-nuisance law …

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 VP quits his million dollar job 'in dismay' at firing of coronavirus whistleblowers
4 years, 10 months ago

Amazon VP quits his million dollar job 'in dismay' at firing of coronavirus whistleblowers

Daily Mail  

An Amazon executive has quit his job 'in dismay' at the firing of whistleblowers who raised concerns about unsafe warehouse working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. Tim Bray, pictured, announced he has quit his job 'in dismay' at the firing of whistleblowers who raised concerns about unsafe warehouse working conditions amid coronavirus Workers protest against the failure from their employers …

Amazon unit’s VP resigns to protest firings of coronavirus ‘whistleblowers’
4 years, 10 months ago

Amazon unit’s VP resigns to protest firings of coronavirus ‘whistleblowers’

LA Times  

People outside an Amazon warehouse in New York’s Staten Island borough on May 1 protest the company’s handling of workers’ coronavirus concerns. Tim Bray, who worked at Amazon Web Services, said Monday that he had stepped down from his role as vice president and distinguished engineer after having “escalated through the proper channels and by the book.” “I quit in …

‘They don’t give a damn about people’: Amazon worker fired after raising safety concerns is starting a revolution from the outside
4 years, 10 months ago

‘They don’t give a damn about people’: Amazon worker fired after raising safety concerns is starting a revolution from the outside

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. My life has changed and I’m going to …

Facing scrutiny over safety, Amazon fires two more employees
4 years, 11 months ago

Facing scrutiny over safety, Amazon fires two more employees

Al Jazeera  

The e-commerce giant was urged to improve working conditions after cases of COVID-19 were reported at some facilities. Amazon.com Inc said on Tuesday that it terminated two employees, who criticised the working conditions at the e-commerce giant’s warehouses in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, for “repeatedly violating internal policies”. The Seattle-based firm has been facing public scrutiny over safety …

Amazon fires 3 more employees who criticized working conditions
4 years, 11 months ago

Amazon fires 3 more employees who criticized working conditions

LA Times  

Amazon.com Inc. is hitting back at activists within its own ranks, terminating three employees who criticized working conditions in its warehouses. “We support every employee’s right to criticize their employer’s working conditions, but that does not come with blanket immunity against any and all internal policies,” the company said in an emailed statement. “We terminated these employees for repeatedly violating …

AOC blasts Amazon as 'racist' after leaked notes say senior execs planned to publicly shame black worker in meeting with Jeff Bezos
4 years, 11 months ago

AOC blasts Amazon as 'racist' after leaked notes say senior execs planned to publicly shame black worker in meeting with Jeff Bezos

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has described Amazon’s dismissal of a black …

Amazon fires warehouse worker who staged walkout
4 years, 11 months ago

Amazon fires warehouse worker who staged walkout

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Amazon fired a worker who organized a walkout at a New York warehouse to demand greater protection against the new coronavirus, saying the employee himself flouted distancing rules and put others at risk. Amazon said Smalls showed up at the protest at the Staten Island warehouse Monday despite a order to remain home for 14 days with …

'Immoral and inhumane': New York to probe Amazon after it sacked warehouse worker who led strike
4 years, 11 months ago

'Immoral and inhumane': New York to probe Amazon after it sacked warehouse worker who led strike

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy New York’s Attorney General could bring legal action against Amazon …

New York Mayor, Attorney General Seek Investigations Over Fired Amazon Worker
4 years, 11 months ago

New York Mayor, Attorney General Seek Investigations Over Fired Amazon Worker

NPR  

New York Mayor, Attorney General Seek Investigations Over Fired Amazon Worker Enlarge this image toggle caption Spencer Platt/Getty Images Spencer Platt/Getty Images Updated at 3:24 p.m. ET New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has ordered the city's human rights commissioner to investigate Amazon over the firing of a warehouse employee who helped organize a worker walkout on Monday. Sponsor …

Amazon faces probe over firing of warehouse worker in New York
4 years, 11 months ago

Amazon faces probe over firing of warehouse worker in New York

Al Jazeera  

Over a dozen workers at the Amazon.com warehouse in New York walked off the job after reports of COVID-19 among staff. On Monday, 15 workers at the Amazon.com warehouse in Staten Island, New York, walked off the job following reports of COVID-19 cases among the facility’s staff. New York’s attorney general has also said that her office was “considering all …

Amazon Workers Plan Walkout After Staten Island Warehouse Reports COVID-19 Case
4 years, 11 months ago

Amazon Workers Plan Walkout After Staten Island Warehouse Reports COVID-19 Case

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Dozens, if not hundreds, of Amazon employees at the e-commerce giant’s warehouse in New York City’s Staten Island plan to walk off the job on Monday — and have vowed to remain on strike until the company shuts down the facility and sanitizes it following the positive coronavirus diagnosis of at least one worker there last week. …

Amazon workers clash with company over climate change
5 years, 2 months ago

Amazon workers clash with company over climate change

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Amazon employees say the company is threatening to fire workers for publicly pushing the company to do more to combat climate change. Amazon Employees For Climate Justice, a climate change advocacy group founded by Amazon workers, said Thursday that the company sent letters to members telling them that they could be fired if they continued to speak …

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