Call for Amazon to embrace unions as Andy Jassy becomes CEO
As Amazon brings in a new CEO today, the GMB union has claimed that worker safety will not improve until the e-commerce giant sits down with unions.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is being succeeded by Andy Jassy, while the former takes up the role of Executive Chair.
Also of interest: Marco Rubio attacks ‘woke’ Amazon and endorses unionisation push
Mick Rix, GMB National Officer, says: “Make no mistake, Jeff Bezos will still be pulling the strings. Putin stepped down as President once and became Prime Minister.”
"Amazon will not move on and embrace fundamental change to deliver better safety standards until they sit down with unions like GMB across the world, embrace collective bargaining and give the workers the independent voice they so badly need.”
“Inhumane working conditions”
While business has boomed for Amazon during the coronavirus outbreak, warehouse workers in the UK have been forced to suffer inhumane working conditions, the GMB recently claimed.
It cited an investigation which found ambulances were called out 600 times to 14 warehouses in just three financial years.
Laurence Turner, GMB Research and Policy Officer, said: “A change in the face at the top isn't enough - it is time for Amazon's whole working culture to transform.”
"While its profits have soared, warehouse workers in the UK have broken bones, been knocked unconscious and been taken away in ambulances in the company’s ruthless pursuit of cash.”
He concluded: “Andy Jassy can draw a line under Jeff Bezos's intense ideological hostility to unions, and instead make improving the lot of workers a top priority.”
An Amazon spokesperson told RTIH: “Amazon is a safe place to work. Yet again, our critics seem determined to paint a false picture of what it’s like to work for us. They repeat the same sensationalised allegations time and time again.”
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