An Amazon employee in Alabama who is working to convince fellow workers to unionize told senators on Wednesday that the company can afford to treat its workers better.
“Amazon brags it pays workers above the minimum wage. What they don’t tell you is what those jobs are really like. And they certainly don’t tell you that they can afford to do much better for the workers,” Jennifer Bates told the Senate Budget Committee in Washington.
Amazon began paying all workers at least $15 an hour in 2018, but employees at the Bessemer warehouse say working conditions can be improved as they press to become the first Amazon warehouse union in the United States.
Bates said she is on her feet, constantly walking and climbing stairs. Workers receive two 30-minute breaks during a 10-hour shift, which includes the time it takes to get to and from the bathroom. Some workers noticeably limp from climbing four sets of stairs; elevators in the facility aren’t available for human use.
“We the workers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and deserve to be given the same commitment that we give to the job every day we go in. We give 100 percent at work, but it feels like we’re being given back only 30 percent. We’re committed to make sure the customers get a nice package, the whole product in a couple of days. But who is looking out for us?” Bates said.
The first talk of unionization came one day during a break, when one worker posited that conditions would be better with a union, according to Bates.
Bates is among the workers advocating for joining the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union. Workers are currently engaged in a mail-in election. Votes are due to be counted on March 30.
Amazon did not have a representative at the hearing after declining to send CEO Jeff Bezos. The company opposes unionization, arguing it already treats its workers well, and telling employees they could buy more belongings with money they would spend on union dues.
An Amazon spokesperson didn’t return a request for a response to Bates’ testimony.
Senate Budget Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) condemned Bezos during the hearing, noting he has gained $77 billion in wealth during the pandemic.
That growth came as Bezos denied workers paid sick leave and hazard pay, Sanders asserted.
“If he was with us this morning, I would ask him … ‘you are worth $182 billion, you’re the wealthiest person in the world. Why are you doing everything in your power in Bessemer, Alabama from joining a union?” he added.
Ranking Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) differed in his remarks, saying he sees the government’s role as making sure there’s a level playing field in terms of regulations and taxes, and education opportunity.
“I think that’s the role of the government, not picking who gets this and who gets that and what is too much money,” he said. “I think if the government gets in that business, I think that will do more harm than good.”
Several experts during the hearing told senators that income inequality has become worse in recent years because of loose antitrust regulations and a payment system that encourages CEOs to take short-term risks.
Robert Reich, a former economic adviser to former President Barack Obama, called for higher taxes on the most wealthy, stronger labor protections, and more vigorous use of antitrust.
“Ultimately, the trend toward widening inequality in America will be reversed only when the vast majority, whose incomes have stagnated and whose wealth has failed to increase, join together to demand fundamental changes in the rules,” he said.
But Scott Winship, director of poverty studies for the American Enterprise Institute, told the hearing that the current levels of wealth inequality do not constitute a crisis and encouraged lawmakers to focus more on emphasizing upward mobility.
“Many policies that would reduce inequality or short-term poverty might be counterproductive in terms of increasing upward mobility or reversing declines in association of life,” he said.
I’m tired of hear about how tough your job is and how you don’t get paid enough. Yeah maybe Amazon can do better. Maybe you can do better also. No one is forcing you to work there and no one is holding you back from getting a better education or learn a skill. If enough people complain about the conditions and walk off Amazon might change. Or they may hire all those illegals coming across the border. I’m sure they will work for minimum wages. McDonalds is not going to pay 15 a hour in all it’s stores to take money and orders. It’s not going to happen. They are already moving to automation. They already are getting 15 a hour do you really think it will stop there?