New York Amazon Worker Fired For Leading Strike Over Coronavirus Concerns
Yesterday, we reported that Amazon, Instacart and Whole Foods workers were planning a strike, called a “sick out,” over coronavirus safety concerns, now a New York organizer has been fired.
Before his termination, one man led a walkout of dozens of workers across each Amazon umbrella company, demanding the companies shut down for proper cleaning, in addition to better protective gear and pay for those on sick leave.
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Chris Smalls, assistant manager and organizer states, “It’s a shame on them. This is a proven fact of why they don’t care about their employees, to fire someone after five years for sticking up for people and trying to give them a voice.
Defending their decision, Amazon stated, “He was found to have had close contact with a diagnosed associate with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and was asked to remain home with pay for 14 days, which is a measure we’re taking at sites around the world.”
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They continue, “Despite that instruction to stay home with pay, he came onsite today, March 30, further putting the teams at risk. This is unacceptable and we have terminated his employment as a result of these multiple safety issues.”