Inside Amazon's Warehouse: Workers Tell of Brutal Heat, Dizzying Pace (+Fake Promises of Perm. Jobs)

[JPZenger]

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-allentown-amazon-complaints-20110917,0,7937001,full.story

Lengthy investigative article in the Allentown PA Morning Call about work conditions inside Amazon's huge warehouse complex in the Lehigh Valley, west of Allentown. Thousands of workers have been hired as temporary workers with promises they will get permanent jobs if they just keep working harder. Most burn out, collapse or otherwise find that they are not eligible for a permanent job after several months.

The temperatures have hit 100 degrees. One worker said he never saw an employer who had to keep paramedics and ambulances outside, ready for when employees keel over.

Excerpts of article:

"Workers said they were forced to endure brutal heat inside the sprawling warehouse and were pushed to work at a pace many could not sustain. Employees were frequently reprimanded regarding their productivity and threatened with termination, workers said. The consequences of not meeting work expectations were regularly on display, as employees lost their jobs and got escorted out of the warehouse. Such sights encouraged some workers to conceal pain and push through injury lest they get fired as well, workers said.

During summer heat waves, Amazon arranged to have paramedics parked in ambulances outside, ready to treat any workers who dehydrated or suffered other forms of heat stress. Those who couldn't quickly cool off and return to work were sent home or taken out in stretchers and wheelchairs and transported to area hospitals... An emergency room doctor in June called federal regulators to report an "unsafe environment" after he treated several Amazon warehouse workers for heat-related problems. The doctor's report was echoed by warehouse workers who also complained to regulators, including a security guard who reported seeing pregnant employees suffering in the heat.

...Many warehouse workers are hired for temporary positions by Integrity Staffing Solutions, or ISS, and are told that if they work hard they may be converted to permanent positions with Amazon, current and former employees said. The temporary assignments end after a designated number of hours, and those not hired to permanent Amazon jobs can reapply for temporary positions again after a few months, workers said."

[Melinda]

1. Is this from the Onion? Attn Jeff Besos - you're about to lose one of your base!!

Seriously, this Kindle unplugs. :grr:

[roguevalley]

6. this is the company that had to be shamed into not selling Mein Kampf

[Melinda]

7. I hadn't heard this... can you share the backstory or shoot me a link?

Christ on a crutch!

[pscot]

16. Why should they not sell Mein Kampf?

Banning books is not a good idea.

[southernyankeebelle]

2. How can customers help the employees?

[nilram]

3. By finding other places to buy.

http://www.powells.com/

[ellenfl]

4. when did walmart buy amazon? eom

[BiggJawn]

5. Depressing. Everything's a sweat shop, so it seems...

Somebody somewhere is penning an op-ed piece calling this another example of "The New Normal"...

[SharonAnn]

8. They're busy here in East Tennessee, pitty counties against each other for 2 new

"distribution" centers. They already have exemption from the state to avoid charging sales taxes. Now they want exemption from property taxes. This under the guise of "bringing well paying jobs" to the area.

Hmm, you think maybe they're "misrepresenting" things?

[BiggJawn]

9. Naw, they're actually bring well-paying jobs...

The plant manager, and maybe his immediate report-to people. And the rest of the jobs? well, they pay better than unemployment, don't they? :sarcasm:

They do this is Indiana, too. 10-year property tax moratoriums, easement of sewer tax, sales taxes on electricity, etc.
Then the taxpayers have to shoulder the whole cost of building the road to the new factory and the firehouse that has to be built because the new factory is so far out in the Burbs.

[SheilaT]

10. Aren't there any laws that

would cover this sort of thing? Isn't OSHA still around?

[nilram]

11. I read the article. I'm avoiding amazon now.

Even though I saw a $25 book I want there for $15. I'll wait till I can get it used at Powells. As for other stuff, I think I'd rather do without.

[eggplant]

12. Don't avoid them -- TELL THEM...

You are now connected to *** from Amazon.com.

Me:I am concerned about working conditions at your warehouses. I read an article today about your Lehigh Valley warehouse and that you have paramedics stationed outside for when workers pass out from heat stroke and deydration. Is this true?

***:Hello, my name is ***. I'm sorry about this. I'll be happy to help you today.
I am so sorry that we don't have the information regarding this, thank you for providing this information to us. I will forward this issue to our dedicated department. We will surely look into this matter

Me:Here is a link to the article: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-allentown-amazon-complaints-20110917,0,7937001,full.story
I would like to be able to receive a response from Amazon management to my question. How can I accomplish that?

***:I have read the news.
I am so sorry for this.

Me:We spend a significant portion of our household budget (as well as our discretionary spending) with Amazon. If these allegations are true, the we will have a problem continuing to give our money to a company that treats its employees this way.

***:We will surely look into this matter regarding health issues and working conditions at ware house

Me:Will I receive a reply from your management about my inquiry?

***:I am so sorry but it is our internal department. I am not sure, that they will disclose the outcome of this.
But we will surely look into this matter.

Me:I understand that it is outside of your control, but when you pass along my comments, I want you to make it clear that a lack of a response will be seen negatively by us, and will certainly affect our future purchasing decisions.

***:We will try to solve this issue as soon as possible for you.
And will try to get back to you on this.

Me:Thank you. That was all I wanted to discuss today.

[arikara]

13. That is horrible

Why are these companies allowed to use temporary workers in the first place. It just leaves it open to such abuse.

Try bookdepository.com, their books are usually cheaper than Amazon's and they have no minimum for free shipping. I buy from them all the time now. That said, I don't know what their working conditions are like and they are based in the UK.

[angstlessk]

14. I just sent an email message...too sad..I, till now loved Amazon!

[elocs]

15. K&R