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Amazon Sends ‘Vote No’ Instructions to Unionizing Employees

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Re: Amazon Sends ‘Vote No’ Instructions to Unionizing Employees

#61
Personally I like the idea of worker representation on the board of directors, with enough representation that they don't just get steamrolled by other board members as a potentially viable solution to worker concerns.

I think people should be treated pretty well in a job setting, my thought is that well treated employees while costing more actually wind up producing for the business well in excess of the expense and much more than when treated like parts as well as it imo just being the ethical thing to do.

I've only heard negative things from friends who have worked in unions or with unionized employees and I understand things vary greatly union to union so I'm skeptical of how overall beneficial they are to normal workers, high performing workers and the business which ultimately they work for. They largely seem like ways for certain outspoken individuals to consolidate power and become another vehicle for corruption and stagnation, much like already broken corporate structure.

All of that said this may be the only avenue possible at the moment as nothing in the US screams major labor reforms to me and no larger business seems willing to try to experiment with other solutions.

Re: Amazon Sends ‘Vote No’ Instructions to Unionizing Employees

#62
post #7

This Amazon union vote is one of the few things I see around me in the world where things have a chance of heading in the right direction. Truly hoping it succeeds and creates a nucleation event to stop our march into ever-more-innovative methods of worker exploitation.

I felt this was about Uber being told they had to treat drivers like employees in California too, and look how that turned out: A dystopian rule that lawmakers can't overturn to enable worker exploitation.

Well, that's electoral politics for ya. Without organized labor power to stand up to capital, things are close to a one-way ratchet.

Re: Amazon Sends ‘Vote No’ Instructions to Unionizing Employees

#63
post #8

Call me crazy but I think the employer should get to make their case too.

All employers are making their case at all times, throughout hiring, with pay rate consistency or discrepancy, communication, management, and culture. Union votes are an outcome of the case an employer has already made for themselves. Once the vote's on, it's going to be very difficult to refute the case they've been making for years. Taking ownership of the failures that led to the conditions which created support f…

'lying about how unions work'. I've seen unions do the same. I was in a union where they promised to accomplish some things... didn't even try. Zero effort to do so, they simply chose not to.

Amazon or any employer should still be able to make their case, even if they're wrong about some things ...

Re: Amazon Sends ‘Vote No’ Instructions to Unionizing Employees

#65
post #43
post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I got instructions from more than one party this past fall on how to fill out a ballot and mail it early and etc.

It wasn't your boss telling you how to do that though. The direct power imbalance is pretty different, I think.

Like some unions tell their members to vote for this or that party?

I’m still waiting for the Teachers’ Union to endorse the Libertarian party one day soon -I’m sure it’s gonna happen.

Re: Amazon Sends ‘Vote No’ Instructions to Unionizing Employees

#66
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're hyperbole strikes me as ... kinda out there. Not sure anyone has guns pointed at anyone in this case.

Your comments strike me as unaware or complacent. https://www.tbray.org/ongoing/When/202x/2020/04/29/Leaving-A... https://www.tbray.org/ongoing/When/202x/2020/05/06/Answers https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/feb/05/amazon-wo... https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/youre-just-dispos... https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/11/amazo... https://nypost.com/2019/07/13/inside-the-hellish-workda…

I simply don't think any of that matches the hyperbole.

Re: Amazon Sends ‘Vote No’ Instructions to Unionizing Employees

#67

From a non-US point of view, this whole anti-union strategy from Amazon is somehow hilarious to witness on top of being sad. This kind of propaganda feels like its coming from another age, or dimension.

Amazon literally employs a union busting company from the last century (edit: from two centuries ago, apparently): > The Pinkerton National Detective Agency was founded as a private police force in Chicago in 1850, and quickly expanded its reach; its detectives initially focused on catching thieves and burglars, but soon became the bane of the labor movement for their work as enthusiastic, vicious strikebreakers. Thr…

When Teen Vogue calls someone a "billionaire vampire", is that a compliment, or are vampires out again?

Re: Amazon Sends ‘Vote No’ Instructions to Unionizing Employees

#69
post #65
post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It wasn't your boss telling you how to do that though. The direct power imbalance is pretty different, I think.

Like some unions tell their members to vote for this or that party? I’m still waiting for the Teachers’ Union to endorse the Libertarian party one day soon -I’m sure it’s gonna happen.

I'm waiting for the Libertarian party to embrace drivers licenses ;)
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