Union president blasts Amazon CEO’s assure to do ‘better job’ for staff as ’empty words’
4 min readStuart Appelbaum, the president of the union that lately misplaced a vote to arrange Amazon (AMZN) warehouse workers in Alabama, sharply criticized Jeff Bezos on Friday in excess of the CEO’s pledge in a shareholder letter the working day prior to to “do far better” for its staff.
The remarks from Bezos likely show a general public relations work to lower the problems inflicted on the tech giant’s status about the system of the months-prolonged union generate at its facility in Bessemer, Al., reported Appelbaum, who qualified prospects the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Retail store Union, or RWDSU.
Appelbaum identified as on the firm to put into practice the sentiment expressed by Bezos through enhanced doing the job disorders and the abandonment of anti-union intimidation attempts.
“We cannot just allow him to get away with empty terms,” Appelbaum tells Yahoo Finance. “Where by they say nice words, what we definitely will need are pleasant steps.”
“I undoubtedly hope that what Bezos claims is not just another PR energy at destruction management,” he adds. “We have noticed much too numerous examples about how Amazon has been far more involved with dealing with community relations harm than dealing with the underlying dilemma.”
A tally concluded on April 9 located workers at the warehouse in Bessemer voted overwhelmingly against the union, while RWDSU has vowed to file charges declaring Amazon illegally interfered with the election.
Amazon did not straight away react to a ask for for remark about the remarks from Appelbaum.
‘We have to have a greater vision’
In the shareholder letter on Thursday, Bezos acknowledged the have to have to strengthen treatment of employees at the business, referring to the new union vote.
“I feel we need to do a improved position for our employees,” Bezos wrote in the letter, which will be his very last right before he actions down as CEO later on this year. “While the voting final results were being lopsided and our immediate marriage with workforce is strong, it is apparent to me that we need a greater eyesight for how we produce value for employees — a vision for their achievements.”
Bezos additional that he has “always wanted to be Earth’s Most Buyer-Centric Enterprise,” and he’s committing the organization to be “Earth’s Finest Employer and Earth’s Safest Place to Function.”
Staff at the warehouse in Bessemer criticized what they say have been grueling circumstances enforced by electronic units that they say track them every minute. Workforce also claimed inadequate basic safety protections heightened stress and wellness dangers tied to COVID-19.
Amazon strongly rebuked these types of claims, citing a host of basic safety actions carried out all through the pandemic and a payment deal that includes advantages and entry-level pay back of $15.30, far more than double the federal least wage.
In his letter, Bezos referenced surveys that present 94% of employees at Amazon achievement facilities would recommend Amazon to a pal as a put to do the job. He also mentioned that Amazon workforce are free to take casual breaks, in addition to the 30-moment lunch and 30-moment break they get every single change.
The Nationwide Labor Relations Board, which tallied the votes, identified that 1,798 votes ended up forged in opposition to the union and 738 have been cast in favor. While 76 ballots were being void and 505 have been challenged, Amazon’s victory was decisive.
Still, just 3,041 of 5,876 suitable voters solid ballots. Appelbaum reported observers really should not interpret the union vote results as evidence of employee contentment but fairly anti-union intimidation carried out by Amazon.
“Men and women should really not presume the success of this vote indicates that workers are glad with Amazon’s operating situations,” he says. “Instead, what the final results definitely display is the highly effective effects of employer intimidation and interference.”
“Men and women all through the United States and all-around the earth require to keep Bezos and Amazon accountable for the determined require to make alter in operating conditions at their warehouses,” he suggests.
Above the program of the union travel, which began final summer time, RWDSU by no means spoke with Bezos, Applebaum claimed. But he would welcome a dialogue with Bezos about doing the job problems at the corporation, he included.
“If he is really serious about creating alter, we would welcome a conversation with Bezos about what we have heard and what we have found,” he suggests.
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