Some Amazon Freight Workers Walk Off Job In Southern California, Demand Better Pay And Work Conditions
Amazon employees at an air freight hub in San Bernardino, California, walked off the job Monday demanding "an increase in pay, safe working conditions and an end to retaliation."
A statement from the organizers of the walkout "Empire Amazon Workers United" claimed 150 people participated, while Amazon put the total at 74 of the 1,500 employees. The participating employees insist that there is "unsafe heat conditions" and that the building reached above 90 degrees several times.
"Amazon could deliver a higher standard for workers, but they don't," Sara Fee, a worker at the air hub since it opened in March 2021, said in a statement.
"A warehouse is just a warehouse. A company is just a company. The people are what makes it all work and we are strong and united to fight for what we deserve," Fee said.
The employees are demanding $22 hour which would be $5 more than their current wage. They highlighted the cost of rent raising in the area.
"We as Amazon Associates work hard to ensure that the building hits the numbers it strives for and work together in order to provide satisfaction to all of our customers. But we can barely afford to live in today's economy," the petition said.
Amazon said in a statement that it is proud to be able to pay its employees $17 an hour with the chance to make $19.25 an hour. Along with some of the best available health benefits that are offered to any employee.
Amazon is the second largest employer in the U.S. As of February, the company employed about 1.1 million people.
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