Amazon is within the crosshairs once more throughout a brand new section on union busting from “Final Week Tonight with John Oliver.”
The HBO present took on the tech big as a part of a prolonged explainer on the tactics companies make use of to discourage employees from unionizing.
Among the many jabs at Amazon, Oliver pointed to what he referred to as a “leaked inside video” from Amazon that instructs its managers on warning indicators to be on the lookout for with regards to potential union organizing. Apparent indicators embrace the use of phrases equivalent to “residing wage” or “steward,” the animated video says.
“Put aside how fully masks off it’s to deal with the phrase ‘residing wage’ like the primary warning signal of a stroke,” Oliver stated in response to the clip, including that it’s price noting the “enormous quantity of stress” Amazon and other companies can exert on workers who’re contemplating organizing.
Amazon efficiently turned again a unionization effort by the Retail, Wholesale and Division Retailer Union in Bessemer, Ala., to arrange practically 6,000 warehouse employees final spring. A report just a few months later by a Nationwide Labor Relations Board listening to officer stated Amazon stepped outdoors allowable tips and improperly pressured employees in opposition to unionizing, and stated the election ought to be redone.
Oliver’s section comes only a couple days after Amazon employees at a Staten Island, N.Y., success middle withdrew a petition to carry a union election after failing to gather sufficient signatures from employees.
Seattle-based espresso big Starbucks was additionally referred to as out by Oliver on Sunday’s present because it, too, is taking on employees attempting to arrange at cafes in Buffalo, N.Y.