AOC aims at Amazon … again. But the company doesn't.
Amazon replies to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) claims that Amazon pays workers "hunger wages". AOC's comments were made earlier this week at ABC News & quot; This Week & quot ;, when she was asked about Amazon and the company's CEO, Jeff Bezos, and what she wanted to look at a "really progressive" agenda.
"I spend more time thinking about Amazon warehouse workers than I think of Jeff Bezos. I think about the outcome I want to see for those people. Jeff Bezos is less worried about me than if your average Amazon worker makes a living pay, if they have guaranteed health care, and if they can send their children to college without training, Ocasio-Cortez explained. "And if that is the case, and Jeff Bezos is still a billionaire, then that is one thing, but if he is a billionaire, he is dependent on paying public pay and removing them from his ability to access health care, and even if his ability to be a billionaire is based on the fact that his workers take food stamps, so I pay him to be a billionaire ̵[ads1]1; "
" Do you think that is why he is a billionaire because he pays hunger pay? "The anchor asked.
" I think it is definitely part of the equation when you have a very large workforce and you underpay every single person, "replied the AOC." And that you, too, participate in taking billions of dollars off government grants, I think it may be part of it. "
She tried to put a positive spin on it.
" But if he is willing to give up all his state aid, willing to charge righteous taxes, If we are willing to pay people a living salary, send people to college without training, guarantee all health care, and he is still a billionaire, well, there is a giant we can have another day, "she said.
. @AOC is just wrong. Amazon is a leader on salary of $ 15 min salary + full day benefits. We also lobbed to increase federal pay. Https://t.co/crWp5fPEzS
– Amazon News (@amazonnews) June 17, 2019
President Barack Obama's former press secretary, Jay Carney, now serves as Amazon's Senior Vice President. He reacted directly to the AOC in a tweet and rejected the claim:
More than 42% of all working Americans earn less than $ 15 / hour Amazon pays the registration level at the center. And all our employees get top benefits. I would urge @ AOC to focus on increasing the federal minimum wage rather than making things about Amazon. https://t.co/ClhFfOrywd
– Jay Carney (@JayCarney) June 17, 2019
Ocasio-Cortez struggled to keep Amazon out of its district. Amazon decided not to build a warehouse, which resulted in thousands of New Yorkers losing potential jobs. AOC was happy to "win the fight", but faced major setbacks for job losses.
