Amazon has responded swiftly to the impromptu strike at its unionized Staten Island warehouse. The corporate and staff have confirmed to CNN that about 50 staff had been suspended with pay at JFK8 after they occupied the human assets workplace and refused to work in allegedly unsafe situations following a ship dock hearth. One of many staff, Connor Spence, stated the suspension would proceed whereas Amazon investigated the work stoppage.
We have requested Amazon for remark. In a press release to CNN, a spokesperson stated there was a “small hearth” in a cardboard compactor, and that it requested night time shift staff (together with these within the protest) to report back to their regular shifts after firefighters stated the warehouse was secure. The “overwhelming majority” of staff complied, Amazon stated. Day shift workforce members had been despatched dwelling with pay.
The suspensions will not assist ease the battle between Amazon and staff at JFK8, the corporate’s solely unionized warehouse. In Could, Amazon fired a number of senior managers in a transfer that workers claimed was retaliation for labor group efforts. There’s additionally broader stress throughout the corporate. Employees at a number of American warehouses have pushed for unionization (albeit with restricted success), whereas Amazon has been accused of utilizing anti-union ways.
The affected staffers will not essentially lose their jobs. Nevertheless, it alerts that Amazon is not eager to tolerate labor disruptions even with a union current.
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