Home committee launches investigation into Amazon labor practices

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Amazon’s labor practices are going through political scrutiny following a twister that collapsed a warehouse and killed six individuals in Edwardsville, Illinois final December. The New York Instances notes the Home Committee on Oversight and Reform has launched an investigation into Amazon’s practices in extreme climate circumstances. Committee chair Rep. Carolyn Maloney in addition to member Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Cori Bush are nervous about experiences Amazon pressured employees to work at and across the Illinois facility regardless of the twister risk, jeopardizing the protection of staff and contractors.
After the collapse, experiences emerged that Amazon supervisors threatened to fireplace or in any other case punish employees in the event that they left to take shelter. One contracted driver, as an illustration, was instructed to maintain delivering packages or danger dropping her job. The representatives additionally identified earlier issues, resembling employees being made to remain by two days of air high quality warnings throughout California’s November 2018 wildfires.
Maloney, Ocasio-Cortez and Bush despatched a letter to Amazon chief Andy Jassy requesting communications and paperwork surrounding the Illinois collapse. Additionally they requested for paperwork overlaying firings or different self-discipline across the time of seven labor incidents, together with at Bessemer, Alabama and Staten Island, New York warehouses the place employees have tried to hitch unions. Amazon has till April 14th to reply.
Amazon did not instantly handle the letter in an announcement to The Instances. Spokeswoman Kelly Nantel instructed the newspaper the corporate would reply the letter “in the end” however that its focus was on supporting “all these affected by the tornadoes.”
The Home investigation will not essentially end in laws or different actions requiring Amazon and different firms to raised shield employees in excessive climate. It might draw extra consideration to Amazon’s labor insurance policies, although, and comes quickly after senators started an investigation into probably unlawful terminations for workers who took break day. Amazon is beneath shut watch, and it is unlikely to get a break any time quickly.All merchandise really useful by Engadget are chosen by our editorial staff, unbiased of our mum or dad firm. A few of our tales embrace affiliate hyperlinks. When you purchase one thing by one among these hyperlinks, we might earn an affiliate fee.

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