Labor Board Sides With the Amazon Workers Who Protested the Company’s COVID-19 Safety Policies
Amazon and US labor regulators are reportedly negotiating a settlement for workers who protested Amazon’s COVID-19 safety standards. The Intercept reports that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) found merit in a retaliation complaint from Chicago warehouse employees. According to text messages obtained by The Intercept, the NLRB said on March 10th that “Amazon has stated its intent to settle.”
Workers have requested, among other things, that Amazon contact employees and “make clear that their rights will not be violated again.” The complaint alleged that Amazon unlawfully retaliated against workers after they launched a series of safety strikes last year, asking for the company to cover COVID-19 medical costs and offer more transparency if a person on-site contracted the coronavirus. Amazon and the NLRB did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The NLRB can’t assess penalties against Amazon, but it can require “make-whole remedies” that prevent future violations. As The Intercept explains, an investigation can also push companies to back off of intimidation campaigns or other offenses, making it easier for employees to organize.
