Workers at a crucial Illinois Amazon facility protests during their Prime sale event
In the heart of Illinois, workers at Amazon's MDW2 warehouse in Joliet took a stand during the company's second major Prime sale this year. Around 30 employees participated in a walkout, an action known as "Prime Walkout," to voice their concerns about wages and workplace conditions.
Marcos Ceniceros, executive director of Warehouse Workers for Justice, has been vocal about the pressure experienced by Amazon's warehouse employees, stating that it's not just during Prime Day when the warehouses are under constant pressure. Ceniceros also asserted that Amazon is ignoring the demands of the workers and that the company's business model heavily relies on the work of warehouse employees.
The workers' action was in response to calls for a safer and healthier workplace, as well as a living wage of $25 per hour. In addition to this demand, the group wants Amazon to address workplace issues involving safety and equitable employment.
According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's living wage calculator, a living wage for a single adult without children in the Joliet area is over $19 per hour, while a living wage for a single adult with one child is close to $36 per hour, and for a household with two children if two adults are working is just over $25 per hour. However, Amazon did not disclose the specific pay rates for workers at the Joliet site in the provided statement.
Racist incidents have been recorded in numerous complaints to managers and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at the Joliet facility. Workers have also reportedly received inadequate medical attention following serious injuries.
Amazon, in its statement, emphasised its commitment to safety and stated that racism is not tolerated in its workplaces. The company also highlighted its robust safety protocols and over 8,000 safety professionals.
Notably, workers at another Amazon warehouse in Albany, New York, are currently voting on whether to unionize. The workers at the Joliet facility sent a letter to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, invoking their right to engage in concerted activities under national labor and occupational safety laws.
Ceniceros disputes Amazon's characterization of the turnout at the Joliet facility, stating that more workers are supportive of the pay and workplace requests. Warehouse Workers for Justice gathered over 700 signatures from the Joliet facility's workforce in support of the pay and workplace demands.
Amazon is investing $1 billion in wage hikes for front-line employees this year. However, the average pay for Amazon's front-line employees in customer fulfillment and transportation is $19 per hour, with a range of $16 to $26 per hour, depending on the job and local wages.
As the situation develops, it is crucial to monitor trusted news outlets or labor advocacy groups focused on Amazon warehouse workers for the latest updates.
- Marcos Ceniceros, from Warehouse Workers for Justice, claims that Amazon's business model heavily relies on warehouse workers' labor and that the company is ignoring their demands for justice, including a living wage of $25 per hour and improved workplace conditions.
- The Prime Walkout in the MDW2 Amazon warehouse in Joliet was initiated due to concerns about wages, safety, and equitable employment.
- The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's living wage calculator suggests that a living wage for a single adult without children in the Joliet area is over $19 per hour, yet Amazon did not disclose specific pay rates for workers at the Joliet site.
- Racist incidents and inadequate medical attention following serious injuries have been reported at the Joliet facility, leading to concerns about the health and safety of Amazon's workers.
- In response to the concerns raised by workers, Amazon has emphasized its commitment to safety and stated that racism is not tolerated in its workplaces, yet workers at another facility in Albany, New York, are currently voting on whether to unionize, invoking their rights under national labor and occupational safety laws.
