Late Monday morning, 30th of March, workers at Amazon’s JFK8 warehouse (Staten Island, New York, USA) stopped work after at least one employee has been tested positive for Covid 19, according to a statement from the group’s management.
Employees told the management that they were aware that between five and seven warehouse employees who have been tested positive and demanded the site to be closed pending a disinfection procedure.
“We are not asking for much,” said Christian Smalls on behalf of the strikers, « We are asking that the building be closed and sanitized, and for us to be paid ».
As a response, Amazon dismissed Smalls, who has been supported by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
This dismissal from a transnational company that, despite the ongoing Covid 19 epidemic, is doing everything it can to keep its warehouses open, is unacceptable.
During the night of 30th-31th of March, workers from the DCH1 warehouse (Chicago), organized within the Amazonians United collective, did not take their shifts and rallied in front of the warehouse.
Among their demands was the closure of the site for at least two weeks, with payment of wages while the workplace is being disinfected.
Faced with the contempt of the group’s management and in consideration of the danger faced by employees, anger is growing in many warehouses around the world.
In March, workers from the warehouses in Torazza, Passo Corese and Castel San Giovanni in Italy organised strike actions, while on the 17th, 18th and 19th of March work interruptions were organised in the French warehouses of Douai, Boves, Saran and Montélimar.
SUD Commerces et Services, CGT and CFDT unions also announced that they would take legal action to ensure that employees’ rights are respected.
The attitude of Amazon’s management is unacceptable.
The organisations of the International Labor Network of Solidarity and Struggle express their full support for the Amazon workers and demand full respect of their right to health, wages and safety, as well as the reinstatement of Christian Smalls.
Other articles about Amazon on ESSF site
http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?page=mot&id_mot=9615