On Monday, workers at a warehouse in Staten Island, New York — where an employee tested positive for coronavirus last week — dramatically escalated a campaign for improved safety measures at the facility, walking off their jobs during a shift. More than 60 workers participated in the walkout, according to New York Communities for Change, an advocacy group that has helped organize workers at the facility.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 30: Amazon employees hold a protest and walkout over conditions at the company's Staten Island distribution facility on March 30, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
“We work for one of the richest men in the world and we don’t have appropriate safety equipment,” says Rina Cummings, 38, who has worked at the Staten Island warehouse since it opened in September 2018 and has noticed many coworkers who haven’t been coming to work lately. “It’s ridiculous.”
Cummings, who lives with two children ages 3 and 15, said she left work early during a shift on Saturday out of fear of contracting the coronavirus.
“I can’t afford to get sick and bring it home from work,” she says, noting that the company had not provided her with a mask. “Sometimes people are sneezing and coughing. This equipment is supposed to be there.”
Amazon is working with global suppliers to acquire masks, the company said, adding that the limited quantities available are being given to people who have roles in public engagement.
‘We’re risking our lives’
The workers are demanding up-to-date information about infections at the facility and how Amazon intends to address them, as well as paid sick leave for all employees, a temporary closure of the facility for cleaning during which the workers receive full pay, and childcare for workers who now have kids at home from school, Cummings said. The warehouse is 855,000 square feet and has 4,500 workers.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 30: Amazon employees hold a protest and walkout over conditions at the company's Staten Island distribution facility on March 30, 2020 in New York City. Workers at the facility, which has had numerous employees test positive for the coronavirus, want to call attention to what they say is a lack of protections for employees who continue to come to work amid the coronavirus outbreak. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
In a statement, Amazon rejected claims that its warehouse workers face unsafe conditions.
“These accusations are simply unfounded. Our employees are heroes fighting for their communities and helping people get critical items they need in this crisis. Like all businesses grappling with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we are working hard to keep employees safe while serving communities and the most vulnerable,” the statement says.
“We have taken extreme measures to keep people safe, tripling down on deep cleaning, procuring safety supplies that are available, and changing processes to ensure those in our buildings are keeping safe distances. The truth is the vast majority of employees continue to show up and do the heroic work of delivering for customers every day,” she adds.
Workers at the Staten Island warehouse recently received a $2 raise and the company has implemented daily temperature screenings at the facility, Amazon said. Employees diagnosed with coronavirus or placed into quarantine will receive up to two weeks of full pay, in addition to unlimited unpaid time off during the month of March, the company added.
Ruiz, who has worked at the warehouse in Staten Island for about one year, has not returned to work for a month out of fear he’ll become sick and spread the disease to his 78-year-old father, with whom he lives.
He said he hopes Amazon customers understand the dangers of the work that goes into sending them their purchases.
“Think about what goes into getting their packages as far as what workers have to deal with, and us not having enough equipment,” he says.
He applauded the walkout on Monday over the company’s coronavirus response.
“Complaining about it ain’t going to do anything unless we do something about it,” he says. “I’m glad we’re taking action to back up those words.”
