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[return to "Amazon fires worker who led strike over virus"]
1. ertemp+O3[view] [source] 2020-03-31 15:59:10
>>blago+(OP)
> Despite that instruction to stay home with pay, he came on site today, March 30, further putting the teams at risk

The employee was exposed to another employee who tested positive for covid-19. They asked him to stay home with pay for 14 days and he came back to the building to protest, putting other employees at risk.

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2. Mizza+o9[view] [source] 2020-03-31 16:22:31
>>ertemp+O3
Whenever there is anti-Amazon or pro-Union discussion, the first comment on HN will always be siding with management. Why is that?

This obviously an illegal retaliatory firing. Amazon is running domestic sweatshops where they don't even provide basic PPE during a global pandemic, and he was the leader trying to get that gear.

Seriously - what goes through the head of somebody who posts a comment siding with management in a situation like this? I literally can't understand why you'd think to post something like this, unless you're an Amazon executive or shareholder and only care about short term face/profit. Otherwise - why the reactionary take?

I just find this level of obedience to authority baffling. It's endemic in the United States, which otherwise prides itself on it's "maverick" status - except when it comes to shocking levels of obedience and servitude to the police and to market forces.

EDIT: I looked up this user and he is an Amazon employee, which explains this bizarre take. Given Amazon's policy of paying employees to say nice things about the company online, even when they work in unrelated departments, I think we should seriously consider warning/banning users who engage in astroturfing for their employers on HackerNews.

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3. jlmort+ub[view] [source] 2020-03-31 16:33:27
>>Mizza+o9
> Amazon is running domestic sweatshops where they don't even provide basic PPE during a global pandemic

It doesn't help your argument to frame it in hyperbolic terms. Amazon pays a minimum wage of $15/hour, every warehouse is air conditioned, they now offer paid time off to every worker who works >20 hours a week, they have substantial career advancement training and education benefits, they have health benefits and matching 401k program, 20 weeks paid parental leave.

I mean, come on. There might be some legitimate problems, but when you call it a sweatshop, you've already lost the argument.

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4. me_me_+Ld[view] [source] 2020-03-31 16:45:09
>>jlmort+ub
and they have employees pissing into bottles because toilet breaks are limited/timed/monitored.

I mean, come on. What would take for you to piss into bottle at your work instead of going to toilet.

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5. gamblo+zm[view] [source] 2020-03-31 17:30:38
>>me_me_+Ld
Amazon pays very well for an entry-level job. Yes, work conditions suck compared to white-collar work. Many blue-collar jobs do, especially now that the 6-figure blue collar factory jobs have all but disappeared.

But that's the price you pay for a job that has no requirements beyond being able to use your hands.

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6. zentig+xC[view] [source] 2020-03-31 18:45:12
>>gamblo+zm
"Sire! The peasants are revolting!"

"Yeah, they're really disgusting on ice, aren't they?"

Amazon will keep exploiting everyone they can until they are sued and independently monitored into compliance. Go ahead and pretend all those benefits are the result of Amazon management realizing on their own that they can be good to their people. Every one is either settlements, PR dusting, or mandatory after being caught at prior abuses.

No respect for anyone at Amazon who drinks or spouts the company kool-aid.

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