That's interesting. I wonder if it has anything to do with why my prime delivery time has jumped to the middle of next week. I get there's a holiday this weekend, but everythign is saying July 6th.
Two Portland delivery companies revolt against Amazon, shut down
181–190 of 310 posts
Re: Two Portland delivery companies revolt against Amazon, shut down
#182Earlier quoted context omitted.
> There's a difference between destroying someone's stuff because you hate your job and just not caring about someone's stuff because you want your job. What is the difference, when you said you destroyed the packages in each case?
The difference is the intention.
But, the results are the same in either case. People's property gets destroyed. If the results are the same, what is the actual, real-world difference?
Re: Two Portland delivery companies revolt against Amazon, shut down
#183> "We refused their demands and they followed through with their threat, terminating their contract with us, leaving their employees confused and looking for answers," she continued. "We’re doing everything we can to support the affected employees including connecting them with other Delivery Service Partners in the area who are hiring.” I'd love for that PR person to drive the route one day and see if they can meet…
Which words in that statement are contemptuous?
For one, she's lying:
> We’re doing everything we can to support the affected employees
Re: Two Portland delivery companies revolt against Amazon, shut down
#184Earlier quoted context omitted.
>> I called Amazon and they of course speak of them like they are some completely separate affiliate that has nothing to do with them. This by design: Amazon has repeatedly said in court that it is not responsible for the actions of its contractors, citing agreements that require them, as one puts it, to “defend, indemnify and hold harmless Amazon.” Just last week, an operations manager for Amazon testified in Chicag…
If you hire a contractor to perform work on your house, and during their contract they happen to burn down one neighbor's house and destroy the wall of a separate neighbor's house - you will not be liable for their actions. If you think that Amazon should be liable for the actions of their contracted drivers, you would likewise be liable for burning down and destroying your neighbor's houses.
It's a bad analogy though because that contractor does not exclusively work for you using trucks and clothing branded with your name.
The Amazon delivery "contractors", though, do do all of the above.
Re: Two Portland delivery companies revolt against Amazon, shut down
#185Earlier quoted context omitted.
Cartels are illegal, but industry associations are not. It's a fine line, but it can certainly be walked.
What can an "industry association" do to pressure amazon?
Lobby to change the laws Amazon uses to exploit labor in this manner. Laws are mutable!
Re: Two Portland delivery companies revolt against Amazon, shut down
#186Earlier quoted context omitted.
How is destroying other people's stuff a reasonable response for you being disgruntled at your employer?
It's not about being disgruntled, it's about not wanting your family to go hungry because you were only able to deliver three hundred packages in ten hours by taking extra care. There's a difference between destroying someone's stuff because you hate your job and just not caring about someone's stuff because you want your job.
> not caring about someone's stuff because you want your job.
Because you need your job, even. It's not just a want.
Re: Two Portland delivery companies revolt against Amazon, shut down
#187Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you hire a contractor to perform work on your house, and during their contract they happen to burn down one neighbor's house and destroy the wall of a separate neighbor's house - you will not be liable for their actions. If you think that Amazon should be liable for the actions of their contracted drivers, you would likewise be liable for burning down and destroying your neighbor's houses.
It's a bad analogy though because that contractor does not exclusively work for you using trucks and clothing branded with your name. The Amazon delivery "contractors", though, do do all of the above.
That's a good point. Thank you.
Re: Two Portland delivery companies revolt against Amazon, shut down
#188> "The companies were losing money and employees trying to satisfy Amazon and their constant abusive changes,” Tom Rask, an attorney for Last Mile and Triton, told Motherboard. "You have to hire numerous drivers who may or may not be working. One day Amazon dictates that you have thirty routes, the next day forty, then the day after twenty. You’re supposed to have enough drivers for back-up while Amazon is lowering p…
Freelancing just sounds awful for this reason. Yeah some ppl can make a lot but still seems like an awful way to make money if you are an american. Consulting is somewhat different
A lot of freelancers are just people doing one year contracts. In that context, that isn't too bad as engineers are constantly moving anyway.
Re: Two Portland delivery companies revolt against Amazon, shut down
#189Earlier quoted context omitted.
I suspect Amazon delivery will turn into Tyson and its chicken growers. Just keep selling the business to a new group of people who cannot leave because of their substantial investment in equipment.
At least they haven't turned into Subway yet: all Amazon delivery partners must purchase Amazon gasoline.
As far as I know, Uber hasn't done this which tells me that the logistics of it are horrible.
Re: Two Portland delivery companies revolt against Amazon, shut down
#190> "The companies were losing money and employees trying to satisfy Amazon and their constant abusive changes,” Tom Rask, an attorney for Last Mile and Triton, told Motherboard. "You have to hire numerous drivers who may or may not be working. One day Amazon dictates that you have thirty routes, the next day forty, then the day after twenty. You’re supposed to have enough drivers for back-up while Amazon is lowering p…
Freelancing just sounds awful for this reason. Yeah some ppl can make a lot but still seems like an awful way to make money if you are an american. Consulting is somewhat different
In any business to business contract, don't be afraid to negotiate aggressive payment terms. I learned that the hard way with my first client being net-15. The higher the payment takes the settle, the more trade credit you are offering your client, increasing their PAYDEX score while messing with your cash flow. Ask for at least half up front.