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Amazon workers launch protests on Prime Day

bbc.co.uk

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Re: Amazon workers launch protests on Prime Day

#12

Post by just_myles »

nerdjon wrote: post #6
throwaway2048 wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The amount of smug proclamations about how all these workers are going to be replaced by robots in these threads is really gross. Nearly everyone that posts on HN is in a situation where their employer holds vastly more power than themselves in their employer/employee relationship, statistically are you likely being screwed, and you aren't going to be Jeff Bezos one day either.

I mean... it's happening. So either we continue to deny it isn't or we actually start those conversations now and figure out how we live in that world. And there is a correlation between actions like this and the desire to have a more automated workforce. Not saying that as blame because there are many other reasons and you can look at the reasons their jobs are so bad right now anyways. But we can't ignore it.

Sure. However, I think the poster is commenting on the insensitivity of the post by OP.

No one has denied that this is not happening because it is. We can however, comment on them in a way that is empathetic to the workers who are protesting. Never know, might come for any one of us one day.

Re: Amazon workers launch protests on Prime Day

#13

Post by Amezarak »

nerdjon wrote: post #6
throwaway2048 wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The amount of smug proclamations about how all these workers are going to be replaced by robots in these threads is really gross. Nearly everyone that posts on HN is in a situation where their employer holds vastly more power than themselves in their employer/employee relationship, statistically are you likely being screwed, and you aren't going to be Jeff Bezos one day either.

I mean... it's happening. So either we continue to deny it isn't or we actually start those conversations now and figure out how we live in that world. And there is a correlation between actions like this and the desire to have a more automated workforce. Not saying that as blame because there are many other reasons and you can look at the reasons their jobs are so bad right now anyways. But we can't ignore it.

Or we stop it from happening. It isn’t inevitable. We are all of us making a choice to allow it.

Re: Amazon workers launch protests on Prime Day

#15

Post by enlyth »

I agree with the worker in the video, they should be treated as human beings. One of the issues is doing a simple, monotonous task every 8 seconds, 10 hours a day, 5 days a week, without creating anything of value, is going to be dehumanizing and unfulfilling regardless.

Robots carrying out this work would probably be for the best for everyone involved, although Amazon should do right by the workers carrying them over this difficult transition period where they're still required for part of the menial manual labour tasks. The compensation should reflect the mental and physical stress they put people through.

Re: Amazon workers launch protests on Prime Day

#16

Post by Wohlf »

Animats wrote: post #9

Yes. Don't be a scab and cross the picket line. Don't buy from Amazon today.

Scabs are workers who cross the picket line, not customers. If you think boycotts are a good idea, ask the auto unions how well customers not buying cars worked out for their members.

Re: Amazon workers launch protests on Prime Day

#17

Post by dhruvrrp »

> He says he has to pick an item about every eight seconds, or 332 per hour, for a 10 hour day.

Ignoring the math, it’s hard to imagine that pace. Are they forced to continually be moving? Or is the person counting picking up, say 15 usb chargers as 15 separate things?

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