Sunday, April 3, 2022

A great story and victory : How two best friends beat Amazon

 Congrats people :) as told in the NYTimes

Next: how to extract a contract from Amazon. Best wishes.

Our pal Josh Eidelson's take. Yep. 'Bargaining in good faith'. Hopefully the media will keep watching/reporting and other Amazon warehouses will organize. Same as Starbucks but with much larger workforces involved. Wondering how the customers could show/express/ their support, how could shareholders do the same. Any 'progressives' holding shares of Amazon? That would be a cool move :)

A first look at the main shareholders. We'll have to look elsewhere: ICCR's collection of progressive proposals for Amazon. See copy of 6,7, 8, 10, 13,  proposals below 

6. Proposal: Freedom of Association: Lead Proponent: SHARE 

“The recent tragedies that led to the deaths of Amazon warehouse workers indicate the need for higher human rights commitments and better workforce practices at the e-commerce giant. Amazon should take greater responsibility for its workforce and allow them to use their freedom of association and rights to collective bargaining in the most effective way,” said Sarah Couturier-Tanoh, Manager of Corporate Engagement & Advocacy at SHARE. 

7. Proposal: Hourly Employees on the Board of Directors. Lead Proponent: Oxfam America   

“Amazon continues to rake in billions of dollars in profits, while workers suffer some of the highest warehouse injury rates in the nation,” said Robbie Silverman, Senior Corporate Advocacy Manager for Oxfam America. “Placing an hourly associate on Amazon’s board of directors would be transformational, signaling an authentic interest in hearing the voice of workers at the highest level of corporate governance and demonstrating a commitment to investors that the company is taking workers’ concerns seriously.” 

8. Proposal. Independent Chair. Lead Proponent: Zevin Asset Management 

"We need a change," said Marcela Pinilla. Director, Sustainable Investing at Zevin Asset Management. "The company needs a refresh from the top. Leadership to date has not shown that it is capable of being accountable. The “Earth’s Best Employer” is treating employees as expendable in return for growth and expansion. Amazon is facing numerous challenges that have only grown more serious in the past year. This calls for an independent board chair to help confront the company’s many challenges and provide oversight of executives’ risk-taking behavior. We are filing this proposal for the second year because we see a stagnant mind-set in how Amazon executives consider and define business risks. This behavior has come at the expense of key relationships including its workers and communities. An independent board chair should be separate from the CEO. They should have no material relationship or affiliation with the company, and they should not be a former executive officer of the company. One key obligation of the Board is to understand the limits of untenable business practices."

10. Proposal. Paid Sick Leave.  Lead Proponent: United Church Funds

Matthew Illian, UCF’s Director of Responsible Investing said: “One of the world’s largest and most profitable companies can afford to offer paid sick leave to all of its employees, and this would create a more loyal and adaptable workforce.”

13. Proposal: Racial and Gender Pay Gaps. Lead Proponent: Arjuna Capital   

“Amazon’s board has fought investors on racial and gender pay equity for the last 3 years, despite strong, consistent support for Arjuna Capital’s proposal,” said Natasha Lamb, Managing Partner at Arjuna Capital, which filed a proposal citing Amazon’s lack of best practice pay equity reporting.  “Given the pay divides that have been exacerbated by the pandemic, protests to uphold Black lives, and Amazon’s own statements of solidarity, it’s inexcusable and hypocritical that the company continues to fight this simple and reasonable investor request.  Now is the time for Amazon to address the structural racism and sexism that relegates minorities and women into low-paying jobs, so we can create a more diverse, innovative, and accountable organization.”  

17. Proposal: Worker Health & Safety Audit. Lead Proponent: Domini Impact Investments

“The COVID-19 Pandemic and the recent tragedy in Edwardsville, Illinois, have raised serious questions around workplace health and safety at Amazon’s facilities," said Mary Beth Gallagher, Director of Engagement, Domini Impact Investments LLC. "The company’s high injury rates and turnover have also drawn scrutiny from legislators, regulators, and the public, while contributing to recent labor shortages and calls for change from workers. In light of this, Domini Impact Investments LLC is signaling to Amazon that investors want the company to listen to essential workers and support their right to a safe and healthy workplace.” 

“At Amazon, machines get better treatment than people. Amazon associates are breaking their backs and working nonstop for the sake of same day delivery -- our every move is watched and timed and if we slow down or mess up in any way, we are punished. Amazon’s inhumane, exploitative business model is a threat to working people and our economy as America’s workers are left injured, exhausted, and mentally battered each day. We must put an end to the high-tech sweatshops Amazon is running and the exploitative business model they are perpetuating across the country.” - Courtenay Brown (Amazon Associate at Avenel, NJ Fulfillment Center and Leader with United For Respect in Newark, New Jersey) 

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