Live data from Hacker News

Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California

vox.com

21–30 of 197 posts

Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California

#22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They will spend money on literally anything else except wage increases.

They were the first to $15, literally leading a nationwide wage increase for low skill labor, and now they pay closer to $18 by me. For people trying to hate Amazon at any cost, the goalposts keep shifting. If Amazon announced $20 minimum tomorrow, there is no doubt in my mind that people would still be griping. And even when people concede that Amazon pays industry leading wages, it's "whatabout" the urine bottles a…

I'm sure people would still be griping, but nothing is static. The cost of everything keeps increasing and honestly, depending on where you live even at 20 dollars an hour it will be hard to make ends meet.

There will always be a struggle between labor and employer where each will seek to maximize their share, it's the system we have set up. I really don't think people should be faulted for pushing for more when it's literally a companies goal to pay people as little as is functionally possible.

Amazon is the target because they are the largest. If you increase the wage Amazon pays, you increase the wage their competitors pay.

Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California

#23
post #19
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That’s because $20 is still humiliatingly low for the workload

I'm not sure which planet you are on, but warehouse workers earn way less than $20/hr in most of the US, Europe or anywhere else.

Just because warehouse owners have the leverage to make it impossible to demand more doesn't make it any less humiliating.

Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California

#24
post #9

Anyone 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.

The memo doesn't seem to suggest hiring the formerly incarcerated, it only mentions creating partnerships with organizations that work for the formerly incarcerated.

It doesn't say what that partnership would entail, but something like donating to an outreach program for the formerly incarcerated doesn't deserve tax breaks.

Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California

#25
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They were the first to $15, literally leading a nationwide wage increase for low skill labor, and now they pay closer to $18 by me. For people trying to hate Amazon at any cost, the goalposts keep shifting. If Amazon announced $20 minimum tomorrow, there is no doubt in my mind that people would still be griping. And even when people concede that Amazon pays industry leading wages, it's "whatabout" the urine bottles a…

That’s because $20 is still humiliatingly low for the workload

Well, clearly their mistake was failing to consult hwers on Hacker News when evaluating the market for warehouse labor.

Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California

#26

I 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.

Just to play Devil's Advocate: a company can cut donations or most other expenditures anytime it wants. An increase in wages is effectively a permanent commitment, and the only way to reduce wage expenditures is to cut the workforce. This is why companies tend to prefer bonuses, etc, rather than pay bumps, even for individual employees.

Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California

#27
post #9

Anyone 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.

The memo doesn't seem to suggest hiring the formerly incarcerated, it only mentions creating partnerships with organizations that work for the formerly incarcerated. It doesn't say what that partnership would entail, but something like donating to an outreach program for the formerly incarcerated doesn't deserve tax breaks.

I think you missed this part:

> “....By creating a pipeline of workers who would immediately benefit from our benefits compared to other peers in the region, we are creating spokespeople that can improve our reputation, while helping our communities most vulnerable.”

Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California

#28

This 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.

[deleted]

Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California

#29

Next time you're at a union meeting, ask them about any boxes they own at sports stadiums. Ask if you as a paid union member can use the box that you are paying for with your dues.

While I don't like things like luxury boxes for the big wigs, a union exec would have the same justification as any business exec would. In fact, a union exec might have even more justification as I can imagine nearly their entire job is schmoozing executives and politicians.

Re: Leaked memo reveals Amazon’s plans to combat the Teamsters in California

#30
I read the article expecting to see terrible actions by Amazon fighting the union.

Instead the article was about the Teamsters union convincing local governments to block Amazon from opening buildings, and Amazon "fighting back" by increasing their hiring of needy ex-cons and minorities from local colleges, ending their marijuana drug tests, and otherwise working to ingratiate themselves with their comminities.

The Teamsters don't come out looking like the good guys...

Post reply on HN