Over two dozen Amazon workers declare the firm didn’t reply appropriately to racist death threats in opposition to Black workers at its MDW2 facility in Joliet, (*26*), and retaliated in opposition to an worker who spoke out, in accordance to a report from the Chicago Tribune (through Engadget). The 26 workers have reportedly filed complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
In late May, workers mentioned they discovered messages studying “[n-word]s gonna die” and “fuck these [n-words] at MDW2” written on rest room partitions in the facility, in accordance to the advocacy group Warehouse Workers for Justice. A day or two later, in accordance to a report from native outlet Herald-News, workers discovered that somebody anonymously referred to as the facility with threats in opposition to Black workers.
Workers say further issues additionally made the office really feel hostile. According to the Tribune, workers declare that Amazon allowed workers to put on clothes embellished with the Confederate flag, which the Anti-Defamation League classifies as a hate image. Herald-News’ story additionally cites Marcos Ceniceros, govt director of Warehouse Workers for Justice, who mentioned there had lately been graffiti of swastikas and antisemitic messages at MDW2.
Warehouse Workers for Justice says that after the threats, Amazon informed workers that they may have voluntary day off in the event that they felt uncomfortable coming into work. As Tori Davis, a former worker, factors out, although, that’s not an actual selection for workers who want the earnings. Speaking to the Tribune, she mentioned: “We had to make a choice of do we stay and make money and be able to pay our bills on the first, or do we go home and be safe.”
Davis alleges that Amazon fired her after she threatened to take authorized motion if the firm didn’t transfer to defend her and her co-workers, in accordance to the Tribune. Richard Rocha, an Amazon spokesperson informed the Tribune that the firm “works hard to protect our employees from any form of discrimination and to provide an environment where employees feel safe.” However, Rocha didn’t reply to the outlet’s requests for remark about Davis’ accusations or why it fired her, nor has the firm instantly reply to The Verge’s request for remark.
Amazon isn’t the solely firm going through accusations that it’s failed to cease racism at a few of its amenities. Tesla has confronted a number of lawsuits from workers about its manufacturing unit in Fremont, California, and has reportedly paid out tens of millions in settlements relating to racial discrimination at the plant. The automaker is being investigated by the EEOC.
