Senator Bernie Sanders, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, has initiated a Senate investigation into Amazon’s health and safety practices. This move is part of Sanders’ ongoing efforts to hold large corporations accountable for their actions.
Allegations Against Amazon
Sanders’ letter to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy accused the company of “egregious health and safety violations.” Sanders claimed that Amazon’s quest for profits has led to unsafe working conditions, unsustainable work rates, and inadequate medical attention for tens of thousands of employees. He also accused Amazon of failing to adopt adequate worker protections due to a corporate culture that treats employees as disposable.
Amazon’s Response
Amazon spokesperson Steve Kelly responded to the allegations by stating that the company takes the safety and health of its employees seriously. Kelly noted that the company has invested more than $1 billion into safety initiatives over the past four years and has reduced recordable injuries by 23% across its U.S. operations since 2019. Kelly also stated that the company is reviewing Sanders’ letter.
Sanders’ Evidence
Sanders cited several sources of evidence to support his allegations against Amazon, including citations the company has received from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for workplace safety violations. He also referenced an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York into possible fraudulent conduct by Amazon designed to hide injuries from OSHA and others. Additionally, Sanders cited a report from a coalition of three labor unions, which stated that serious injuries at Amazon were more than double the rest of the warehouse sector last year.
It is not uncommon for Amazon’s injury rates to be higher than its peers in the industry, which some critics and labor safety experts blame on the company’s fast-paced warehouses that track productivity and allow customers to receive their packages quickly. Despite labor groups’ efforts to organize workers, it has not yet led to a massive wave of unionization.
Bernie Sanders’ investigation into Amazon’s warehouse safety practices is part of his ongoing efforts to hold large corporations accountable for their actions. Sanders’ allegations against Amazon include claims of unsafe working conditions, unsustainable work rates, and inadequate medical attention for employees. Amazon has responded by stating that it takes the safety and health of its employees seriously and has invested heavily in safety initiatives. Sanders’ evidence includes citations from OSHA, an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and a report from a coalition of three labor unions.
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