Amazon & # 39; Prime Day & # 39; mega sales aimed at walkout, US protests
15. July (UPI) – As millions of people exploit sales on Amazon's Prime Day, some employees and activists will use the two-day event to draw attention to what they say is bad behavior of the company.
Employees at an Amazon Satisfaction Center in Shakopee, Minn., Plan to retire Monday in the last 3 hours of the day shift and the first 3 hours of the night shift. They say Amazon has increased the hourly wage to between $ 16 and $ 20 – more than double the federal minimum – the company sets unrealistic expectations and quotas.
"They are trying to get someone to work as hard as possible under the threat of being fired," told Tyler Hamilton, two-year, CBS News. "As much as they can, they find out how to collect data and measure work."
They also complain about precarious working conditions, lack of communication from supervisors, and too much confidence in temporary workers.
"We are forced to work as machines," said Hibaq Mohamed Forbes. "I see it as abuse."
An Amazon spokesman said the company has already raised the protest concerns.
"We provide excellent jobs with excellent salaries ̵[ads1]1; ranging from $ 16.25 – $ 20.80 per hour and comprehensive benefits," the spokesman said. "We encourage everyone to compare our salaries, benefits, and workplaces to other retailers and large ones. employers in the Shakopee community and across the country – and we invite everyone to see themselves by taking a tour of the resort. "
Prime Day is an annual two-day sale where Amazon offers widespread – and sometimes deep – discounts hoping to attract new subscribers to its Prime program. The company said last year it sold more than 100 million products and added tens of millions of members during the sales period.
William Stolz, one of the organizers of the strike, told Bloomberg that the attention of Amazon during Prime Day is a good time to draw attention to staffing.
"Amazon is going to tell a story about itself, as they can send a Kindle to your house in a day, is not that amazing," he said. "We want to take this opportunity to talk about what it takes to make this work happen and put pressure on Amazon to protect us and provide safe and reliable jobs."
Amazon rejected Monday's scheduled exit in Minnesota.
"We can only conclude that the people who are planning to attend the event on Monday are just not being informed," the company added. "If these groups – unions and politicians gather to their cause – really want to help the American worker, we encourage them to focus their energy on passing legislation for increased federal minimum wage because $ 7.25 is too low." [19659002] Working conditions are not the only issue that causes turmoil among Amazon employees. Someone in New York City plans to demonstrate outside owner Jeff Bezos & # 39; Manhattan condominium Monday, after being reported, the company will provide face recognition software for US immigration and customs prosecution. Thousands protested Sunday outside an Amazon center and ICE New Jersey detention center and another was set to Amazon's San Francisco office on Monday.
"We come together to say that it must stop." Jobs With Justice, San Francisco Executive Director Kung Feng told CPIX TV. "[Amazon is] uses its technology to facilitate the measurement, detention and deportation and separation of families."
Pilots with Amazon Air will also demonstrate Monday over what they say is low pay. They sent a pilot to Minnesota on Monday to support the protests there.
Amazon has more than 100 fulfillment centers in the United States.
