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Amazon fires New York worker who led strike over coronavirus concerns

JacksinPA

JacksinPA

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Amazon fires New York worker who led strike over coronavirus concerns | US news | The Guardian

Chris Smalls led workers who demanded protective gear and pay

‘Shame on them … to fire someone for sticking up for people’

An Amazon worker who led a walkout at a New York City facility on Monday has been fired.
======================================================
Chris Smalls, an assistant manager and organizer, learned of his termination as dozens of workers protested against the company’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.

“It’s a shame on them,” Smalls told Vice News on Tuesday. “To fire someone after five years for sticking up for people and trying to give them a voice.”

Strikers at the JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island demanded Amazon temporarily shut down the large facility for cleaning, after reports of multiple employees testing positive for Covid-19.
=================================================
Workers & public health - I thought workers had rights in this country but I guess that phase has passed with the arrival of COVID-19.
 
Isn't NY an at will state?
 
JacksinPA said:
Amazon fires New York worker who led strike over coronavirus concerns | US news | The Guardian

Chris Smalls led workers who demanded protective gear and pay

‘Shame on them … to fire someone for sticking up for people’

An Amazon worker who led a walkout at a New York City facility on Monday has been fired.
======================================================
Chris Smalls, an assistant manager and organizer, learned of his termination as dozens of workers protested against the company’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.

“It’s a shame on them,” Smalls told Vice News on Tuesday. “To fire someone after five years for sticking up for people and trying to give them a voice.”

Strikers at the JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island demanded Amazon temporarily shut down the large facility for cleaning, after reports of multiple employees testing positive for Covid-19.
=================================================
Workers & public health - I thought workers had rights in this country but I guess that phase has passed with the arrival of COVID-19.
Click to expand...

They do, but there are two sides to every story. According to Amazon, Mr. Smalls was identified as having been exposed to Coronavirus and was supposed to be quarantined on paid leave when he showed up to organize a walk out. If true, he deserves to be fired for potentially contaminating the facility and exposing other workers.
 
apdst said:
Smalls is profiteering. He got what he deserves.
Click to expand...

At what point in your life did you think hey, I'm gonna be totally horrible to everyone and everything to the point of supporting something like this, about just wanting to protect people and healthcare workers being muzzled so they can't raise the alarm about lack of supplies...

Like, when did this happen and why?

I have to understand the psychology behind it.
 
KevinKohler said:
Isn't NY an at will state?
Click to expand...

And wouldn't this fall under a State of Emergency situation where walking out on the job is a serious no-no?
 
Napoleon said:
They do, but there are two sides to every story. According to Amazon, Mr. Smalls was identified as having been exposed to Coronavirus and was supposed to be quarantined on paid leave when he showed up to organize a walk out. If true, he deserves to be fired for potentially contaminating the facility and exposing other workers.
Click to expand...

And face the fines and/or jail time.
 
Jetboogieman said:
At what point in your life did you think hey, I'm gonna be totally horrible to everyone and everything to the point of supporting something like this, about just wanting to protect people and healthcare workers being muzzled so they can't raise the alarm about lack of supplies...

Like, when did this happen and why?

I have to understand the psychology behind it.
Click to expand...

Anyone profiteering during this crisis is a piece of ****. Do you get that, at all?
 
JacksinPA said:
Amazon fires New York worker who led strike over coronavirus concerns | US news | The Guardian

Chris Smalls led workers who demanded protective gear and pay

‘Shame on them … to fire someone for sticking up for people’

An Amazon worker who led a walkout at a New York City facility on Monday has been fired.
======================================================
Chris Smalls, an assistant manager and organizer, learned of his termination as dozens of workers protested against the company’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.

“It’s a shame on them,” Smalls told Vice News on Tuesday. “To fire someone after five years for sticking up for people and trying to give them a voice.”

Strikers at the JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island demanded Amazon temporarily shut down the large facility for cleaning, after reports of multiple employees testing positive for Covid-19.
=================================================
Workers & public health - I thought workers had rights in this country but I guess that phase has passed with the arrival of COVID-19.
Click to expand...

Can workers get fired for going on strike?
No, but a company can permanently replace a striking worker by hiring someone else. I know it sounds like the same thing, and in practice it is, but there’s some nuance.

The Supreme Court has ruled that companies have a right to hire replacements to keep the business running during the strike. And even when the strike is over, replacement employees have a right to keep their job. All that an employer has to do is guarantee that a striking worker will get first dibs on any job that opens up in the following year. But there’s no guarantee that a position will open up.

So getting fired and getting replaced are basically the same thing.
Click to expand...

Is it legal to go on strike? 5 big questions about labor strikes - Vox
 
Bodhisattva said:
And wouldn't this fall under a State of Emergency situation where walking out on the job is a serious no-no?
Click to expand...

I think this is more expecting a fireman to run Into a burning building naked and piss the fire out.
 
JacksinPA said:
Amazon fires New York worker who led strike over coronavirus concerns | US news | The Guardian

Chris Smalls led workers who demanded protective gear and pay

‘Shame on them … to fire someone for sticking up for people’

An Amazon worker who led a walkout at a New York City facility on Monday has been fired.
======================================================
Chris Smalls, an assistant manager and organizer, learned of his termination as dozens of workers protested against the company’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.

“It’s a shame on them,” Smalls told Vice News on Tuesday. “To fire someone after five years for sticking up for people and trying to give them a voice.”

Strikers at the JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island demanded Amazon temporarily shut down the large facility for cleaning, after reports of multiple employees testing positive for Covid-19.
=================================================
Workers & public health - I thought workers had rights in this country but I guess that phase has passed with the arrival of COVID-19.
Click to expand...

I thought they fired him because he came to work even though he is infected.

Amazon said it fired Smalls for violating a quarantine order it issued after Smalls allegedly came into contact with a co-worker who tested positive for COVID-19, the company told Business Insider.
Click to expand...
Amazon fires warehouse worker who led strike over COVID-19 response - Business Insider
 
What if...? said:
I think this is more expecting a fireman to run Into a burning building naked and piss the fire out.
Click to expand...

Which we never trained for when I was in the Brigade... :lol:
 
JacksinPA said:
Amazon fires New York worker who led strike over coronavirus concerns | US news | The Guardian

Chris Smalls led workers who demanded protective gear and pay

‘Shame on them … to fire someone for sticking up for people’

An Amazon worker who led a walkout at a New York City facility on Monday has been fired.
======================================================
Chris Smalls, an assistant manager and organizer, learned of his termination as dozens of workers protested against the company’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.

“It’s a shame on them,” Smalls told Vice News on Tuesday. “To fire someone after five years for sticking up for people and trying to give them a voice.”

Strikers at the JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island demanded Amazon temporarily shut down the large facility for cleaning, after reports of multiple employees testing positive for Covid-19.
=================================================
Workers & public health - I thought workers had rights in this country but I guess that phase has passed with the arrival of COVID-19.
Click to expand...

You left out an important detail from the article.
"In a statement, Amazon alleged Smalls “had close contact with a diagnosed associate” but did not comply when “asked to remain home with pay for 14 days”.

Coronavirus: the week explained - sign up for our email newsletter
Read more

“Despite that instruction to stay home with pay, he came onsite today, 30 March, further putting the teams at risk,” the statement read. “This is unacceptable and we have terminated his employment as a result of these multiple safety issues.”"

So the worker came in contact with two that tested positive for the virus. He was instructed to stay home for 14days with pay as a safety measure. He did not stay at home.
 
JacksinPA said:
Whatever. Not good PR for Bezos.
Click to expand...

I'm not justifying it.

Just pointing out a simple fact. Red or blue, democrat or republican...


NOBODY with money, or political power, cares 2 craps about workers. Dems in blue states pretend to...but that and a dollar will get you a coke.
 
mike2810 said:
You left out an important detail from the article.
"In a statement, Amazon alleged Smalls “had close contact with a diagnosed associate” but did not comply when “asked to remain home with pay for 14 days”.

Coronavirus: the week explained - sign up for our email newsletter
Read more

“Despite that instruction to stay home with pay, he came onsite today, 30 March, further putting the teams at risk,” the statement read. “This is unacceptable and we have terminated his employment as a result of these multiple safety issues.”"

So the worker came in contact with two that tested positive for the virus. He was instructed to stay home for 14days with pay as a safety measure. He did not stay at home.
Click to expand...

Stay home from work with pay? I'll show you! I'll come to work and then strike!
 
I had a feeling there was more to the story than what the O/P's source said....

"The company said it fired Smalls after he "received multiple warnings for violating social distancing guidelines."

An Amazon spokesperson confirmed to CNBC that Smalls was fired, saying he received "multiple warnings" for violating social distancing guidelines and refusing to remain quarantined after coming into close contact with an associate who tested positive for the virus.

"Despite that instruction to stay home with pay, he came onsite today, March 30, further putting the teams at risk," the spokesperson said. "This is unacceptable and we have terminated his employment as a result of these multiple safety issues."
Click to expand...

Amazon fires Staten Island coronavirus strike leader Chris Smalls
 
mike2810 said:
You left out an important detail from the article.
"In a statement, Amazon alleged Smalls “had close contact with a diagnosed associate” but did not comply when “asked to remain home with pay for 14 days”.

Coronavirus: the week explained - sign up for our email newsletter
Read more

“Despite that instruction to stay home with pay, he came onsite today, 30 March, further putting the teams at risk,” the statement read. “This is unacceptable and we have terminated his employment as a result of these multiple safety issues.”"

So the worker came in contact with two that tested positive for the virus. He was instructed to stay home for 14days with pay as a safety measure. He did not stay at home.
Click to expand...

An infection that may not have happened if they were provided gloves, sanitizer, masks, etc.
 
KevinKohler said:
An infection that may not have happened if they were provided gloves, sanitizer, masks, etc.
Click to expand...

not refuting that protective measure may be needed and should be implemented. Seems some are saying the worker should not have been fired. He decided not to follow the company instructions. I was addressing the firing. The firing is justified, imo.

Let me ask you . Would you want an employee to come to work after they have been instructed to stay home with pay because they may have the virus?
 
JacksinPA said:
Amazon fires New York worker who led strike over coronavirus concerns | US news | The Guardian

Chris Smalls led workers who demanded protective gear and pay

‘Shame on them … to fire someone for sticking up for people’

An Amazon worker who led a walkout at a New York City facility on Monday has been fired.
======================================================
Chris Smalls, an assistant manager and organizer, learned of his termination as dozens of workers protested against the company’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.

“It’s a shame on them,” Smalls told Vice News on Tuesday. “To fire someone after five years for sticking up for people and trying to give them a voice.”

Strikers at the JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island demanded Amazon temporarily shut down the large facility for cleaning, after reports of multiple employees testing positive for Covid-19.
=================================================
Workers & public health - I thought workers had rights in this country but I guess that phase has passed with the arrival of COVID-19.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the worker was in close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 at the factory and who has since quarantined. The worker was told by management that due to his close contact, he was required to quarantine (whilst being fully paid for the 2 week period) in case he had contracted it. Sounds like this worker ignored that, went in against management's orders, and then led this walkout, potentially exposing every single one of those who walked out with him (and any other workers who were there, who did not joint the walkout), to the virus. He was fired for refusing to quarantine and endangering the rest of the workers with his stunt. I'm thinking he doesn't actually care that much about workers and public health, given his actions......
 
Last edited:
mike2810 said:
not refuting that protective measure may be needed and should be implemented. Seems some are saying the worker should not have been fired. He decided not to follow the company instructions. I was addressing the firing. The firing is justified, imo.
Click to expand...

Very justified.

He defied the company's demand.
He was asking to be fired.
 
It is Amazon we are talking about here. They could start a national prostitution ring and not face much trouble... probably even find unique ways to avoid paying taxes on that line of business as well.

But this story speaks volumes as to how little the worker means to Amazon.
 
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