<p>This article was in our local paper over the weekend and picked up by some other outlets today. Unacceptable working conditions seem to be the norm for their employees. I am not a huge fan of unions but I guess they are a necessary evil when you have companies who treat their employees in such a manner. I have often wondered why Amazon always has help wanted ads on an ongoing basis. Now I have my answer</p>
<p>Good thing my employees don’t belong to a union </p>
<p>We have to work in pretty brutal temps during our busy summer season. Some have it better than others if they have an inside job. I have had to work outside in over 100 degrees , so I know how it feels…no one works under worse conditions than my husband.</p>
<p>We don’t crack any whips since we are in the trenches too and would never terminate anyone for not producing fast enough.
One thing we stress to the employees who work in air conditioned offices is to get their end of the job done right , and done right the first time because if they goof up , the people in the heat and elements are the ones who pay the price</p>
<p>I don’t understand why they didn’t have fans going?
I think there are other things to do to fight theft-
A perimeter gate- with guards would allow them to have warehouse doors open & protect the health of the workers.</p>
<p>I agree that are always two sides to every story, however the fact that many people are contacting OSHA (workers, security guard and doctor at the local hospital) gives me pause.</p>
<p>Just saw the documentary on the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Empire State Building. They were built in the era of deep depression and ppl lined up under the construction for thse highly dangerous jobs. They were waiting in line in hope some one will drop dead or fall from the top so they can have a job. The $11/day job was considered higher pay than any other jobs. So shall we boycutting the GG Bridge or Empire State Building as well?</p>
<p>I am sure there are more sweat shops that we did not know, Amazon was brought to lime light because its size and news worthy. We just have to hope the conditions will improve, with enough stink, they will.</p>
<p>I think we should wait and see if Amazon has a systemic problem with treating its employees fairly, before jumping to ridiculous conclusions. Obviously they are completely responsible for what happened here, but there is no need to wax ridiculous until all the facts present themselves. It is possible that management of that specific plant could be changed, and all would be as it should be. It is evidence of such an obvious agenda when people immediately jump to throw the baby out with the bath water. There are systems in place to remedy problems like this (OSHA and civil court, for example).</p>
<p>artloversplus, there is no need to boycott policies from 80-100 years ago, especially since accidents on the bridges, dangerous working conditions, girls burning to death in factories are the reasons unions exist today. There are some truly gross jobs out there but in many cases, higher pay is a benefit for adverse environment and safety standards are in place, and should be followed.
Now, there is nothing wrong with deciding to vote with your wallet when companies do not meet your own standards. I don’t shop at Wal-Mart or Amazon based on who they contribute to politically and for workforce policies. In turn, I do reward those businesses that share my values with cash. A boycott need not be loud and obnoxious, it can simply be the sound of customers walking away.</p>
<p>The problems cited in this article, which are egregious, are only from the one warehouse. It may just be a problem with the local management at this one warehouse and not a bigger issue with Amazon.</p>
<p>Temporary workers being used instead of hiring permanent employees, which is a complaint in this article, is nothing unusual about Amazon, it is also true at Microsoft.</p>
<p>The complaint in the article that Amazon promotes itself as a fun place to work and that somehow means something is just silly. Since when is work supposed to be fun? I’ve known several people who worked at Amazon here in Seattle, none of them liked it. In the end they were well paid for their efforts through the stock options.</p>
<p>That said, the working conditions cited in this article are deplorable and I’m glad that OSHA is involved.</p>
<p>I am hoping you are correct. But I am looking for a positive Amazon Mgt. response. I’m a long time user/fan of Amazon but this is very worrisome, to the point of making changes.</p>
<p>I am very unhappy with Amazon’s add for the Kindle. They have a young woman, with a large bag of books, and a young man, with a Kindle. The ad makes the woman look like an airhead. Like the bag is so nice, why wouldnt you want it.</p>
<p>Apple was smart enough, when they use dueling characters, and one looks stupid, to use the same sex and gender.</p>
<p>I find the treatment of the woman worse. Too each their own. One can buy a Kindle at many places other than Amazon. Given how many women read – Amazon is shooting themselves in the foot. I suspect more people identify themselves as women than as overweight or non-hip.</p>
<p>^^ Sorry - I deleted my post since I thought it might derail this thread. I’ll pay attention to that ad you’re referring to if I ever notice it and try to see what you’re referring to.</p>
<p>
Only Amazon makes the Kindle or were you referring to e-book readers in general?</p>
<p>I read the article and found it disturbing. I know there are two sides, but it seems like the temp agency was unnecessarily demeaning to the workers. And Amazon is complicit by turning a blind eye and letting this temp agency do their dirty work.</p>
<p>The company I work for has shifted to hiring many employees as contract workers, more as a screening tool than anything. Much easier to see if someone is going to work out, not as much hassle to part ways.</p>
<p>We’ve had recent cuts in our business, and management made a big point in proudly announcing that there would be no layoffs. But all the contract workers were let go, like they didn’t count? These were people who had worked side by side with permanent employees, and in many cases were better workers than the permanent ones.</p>
<p>Here’s one of the Kindle Ads with the airhead female & the boy with the Kindle. There are a series of the two. I don’t like them & find the irritating.</p>
</p>