Amazon’s labor practices are going through political scrutiny following a twister that collapsed a warehouse and killed six folks in Edwardsville, Illinois final December. The New York Times notes the House 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 anxious about stories Amazon pressured employees to work at and across the Illinois facility regardless of the twister risk, jeopardizing the security of staff and contractors.
After the collapse, stories emerged that Amazon supervisors threatened to fireplace or in any other case punish staff in the event that they left to take shelter. One contracted driver, as an example, was advised to maintain delivering packages or danger shedding her job. The representatives additionally identified earlier issues, reminiscent of staff being made to remain via 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. They additionally requested for paperwork protecting 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 staff have tried to affix unions. Amazon has till April 14th to reply.
Amazon did not immediately handle the letter in an announcement to The Times. Spokeswoman Kelly Nantel advised the newspaper the corporate would reply the letter “sooner or later” however that its focus was on supporting “all these affected by the tornadoes.”
The House investigation will not essentially lead to laws or different actions requiring Amazon and different corporations to raised shield staff in excessive climate. It could 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 day off. Amazon is beneath shut watch, and it is unlikely to get a break any time quickly.