AMZN fires tech workers speaking out against warehouse conditions
Apr 14, 2020
21 Comments
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/04/13/amazon-workers-fired/
"Amazon has fired two employees who were outspoken critics of its climate policies and who had publicly denounced the conditions at its warehouses as unsafe during the coronavirus pandemic.
The virus has spread widely, infecting workers in at least 74 warehouses and delivery facilities across the country, according to Amazon and media reports. Some warehouse workers have staged small demonstrations in response.
And Amazon acknowledged Tuesday that a manager in its Hawthorne, Calif., warehouse died on March 31 from covid-19, the first reported coronavirus-related death among its workers."
Y'all should be ashamed of yourselves.
Amazon fires two tech workers who criticized the company's warehouse workplace conditions 
Washington Post
comments
Amazon needs to assure safety but closing down warehouses might not be the solution.
It was changed so they could target whoever they wanted and claim βpolicyβ
I grew up poor and know what it's like to not have any insurance or food for dinner. I watched my parents bust their rears so the children could live a good life.
Being an hourly associate can suck BUT it pays over double federal minimum wage and benefits are affordable compared to other companies.
The job does suck BUT the company is willing to pay for a degree so you can leave the hourly position through CareerChoice.
Classes are onsite to reduce commute times and try schedule classes after shifts to make it convenient.
I know child care is one hurdle and being tired is another hurdle, but the company tries to set people up for success.
Furthermore the company has programs such as Apprenticeship to help hourly Associate move from packing to working on robotics and make more money.
Amazon Technical Academy will take an internal with an Associate's in CS (AMZN pays 95% of tuition) and train them to become an L4 SDE all while GETING PAID.
If they arent interested in technology they can work towards a manager/HR position in 2 years and bypass the degree requirement.
Working conditions can improve, I think all humans can agree, BUT at the same time complaining only takes you so far.
It takes some initiative and dedication, but the hourly associates have access to so many more opportunities which I havent seen at other companies/organizations I worked with.
Another room for improvement would probably be communicating all the options to hourly associates but I'm pretty sure there are PMs working on spreading the word.