Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California
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Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California
#2This article is both too cynical and yet not cynical enough.
Of course Amazon is doing good not out of the goodness of it's heart but for good PR. This is true of literally every large corporation.
But that doesn't mean the good they do isn't good.
The way they are "neutralizing" them with ex inmates and vulnerable students is they're making a special effort to hire ex-inmates and underprivileged students.
Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California
#3I really dislike sensationalized headlines like this. A more accurate one might say:
> Amazon's plan to counter pressure from the Teamsters Union focuses on investing in non-profits.
For those who didn't read the article:
A leaked Amazon memo shows that the Teamsters Union is effectively putting pressure on Amazon by convincing its members to pressure politicians into not granting Amazon tax breaks, land grants, etc.
Amazon is worried that this represents a real threat to expansion as having local politicians turn against them will almost certainly mean their competitors like UPS (who is friendly with the Teamsters) will outcompete them.
So, Amazon is going to invest in local charities like those for ex-convicts and low-income students. This has two purposes:
1. Give politicians an excuse to give Amazon tax breaks (look at what they invest in the community).
2. Build positive sentiment with local members who will talk to politicians on Amazon's behalf. They'll be especially motivated to if Amazon threatens to pull funding from their non-profits.
Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California
#4I really dislike sensationalized headlines like this. A more accurate one might say: > Amazon's plan to counter pressure from the Teamsters Union focuses on investing in non-profits. For those who didn't read the article: A leaked Amazon memo shows that the Teamsters Union is effectively putting pressure on Amazon by convincing its members to pressure politicians into not granting Amazon tax breaks, land grants, etc.…
Sensationalized? This is disinformation.
Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California
#5I really dislike sensationalized headlines like this. A more accurate one might say: > Amazon's plan to counter pressure from the Teamsters Union focuses on investing in non-profits. For those who didn't read the article: A leaked Amazon memo shows that the Teamsters Union is effectively putting pressure on Amazon by convincing its members to pressure politicians into not granting Amazon tax breaks, land grants, etc.…
They will spend money on literally anything else except wage increases.
Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California
#6This article is both too cynical and yet not cynical enough. Of course Amazon is doing good not out of the goodness of it's heart but for good PR. This is true of literally every large corporation. But that doesn't mean the good they do isn't good. The way they are "neutralizing" them with ex inmates and vulnerable students is they're making a special effort to hire ex-inmates and underprivileged students.
On a parallel Earth, Vox has published an article praising Amazon to the high heavens for hiring felons and troubled youth.
Nobody wants to hire ex-convicts, yet when they have nothing to lose (like a decent job) they're at far greater risk for recidivism. It's a bummer for the union people, I suppose, but as someone greatly concerned with how our society shows no shame in blatant classism with regards to ex-cons, I really wish Amazon the best with this program and hope it quickly spreads to other companies as well. That their reasons for doing so are not entirely altruistic just doesn't worry me in this particular case.
Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California
#7This article is both too cynical and yet not cynical enough. Of course Amazon is doing good not out of the goodness of it's heart but for good PR. This is true of literally every large corporation. But that doesn't mean the good they do isn't good. The way they are "neutralizing" them with ex inmates and vulnerable students is they're making a special effort to hire ex-inmates and underprivileged students.
(because they can pay them less)
Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California
#8I really dislike sensationalized headlines like this. A more accurate one might say: > Amazon's plan to counter pressure from the Teamsters Union focuses on investing in non-profits. For those who didn't read the article: A leaked Amazon memo shows that the Teamsters Union is effectively putting pressure on Amazon by convincing its members to pressure politicians into not granting Amazon tax breaks, land grants, etc.…
Why do you consider the headline sensationalist? They are using the same language used in their memo:
> provide political cover for local policymakers, neutralize organized labors’ attempts to grow their coalition of third-party validators and spokespeople [...]
Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California
#9Anyone hiring ex-inmates in large numbers is doing society a great benefit, whether it’s altruism, PR, or both hardly matters to me. It’s not easy managing that cohort and few businesses are even willing to try. Many of those that are have worse work conditions.
I’m 100% on board for tax cuts or subsidies for businesses who keep the formerly incarcerated employed.
Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California
#10Anyone hiring ex-inmates in large numbers is doing society a great benefit, whether it’s altruism, PR, or both hardly matters to me. It’s not easy managing that cohort and few businesses are even willing to try. Many of those that are have worse work conditions. I’m 100% on board for tax cuts or subsidies for businesses who keep the formerly incarcerated employed.
Altruism and PR aren't the only options. If the explanation is "they'll be less likely to dare to ask for better treatment" then I think that's a problem.