Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Amazon training video on handling unionizing activity (2018) [video]

youtube.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

71–80 of 182 posts

Re: Amazon training video on handling unionizing activity (2018) [video]

#71

Post by halflings »

nonrandomstring wrote: post #43
starbugs wrote: post #8

So I did my first part in trying to support everyone who dislikes this as much as I do. I cancelled my Prime and I will try to not purchase anything from Amazon for a year. It's not much, but it's something. I invite everyone to do the same.

Goodonya. Here's what I did. It's not for everyone. It was painful, awkward and led to a lot of bother... but ultimately I feel proud of myself and how the other responded. I rejected a gift that came in an Amazon box. Very politely, and apologetically., I said, "I'm really sorry, but I can't accept this." And why, (working conditions, monopoly etc). It had an effect not only on myself - to make an ideological whimsy…

> It led to a memorable and positive conversation.

Was the conversation really positive? My first instinct was to think that this is incredibly awkward and harsh for the person that made the effort to buy you a gift; or to speak for myself: I would be pretty pissed if a good friend has a birthday, and I buy them an iPhone from AT&T and they refuse my gift because... .

Re: Amazon training video on handling unionizing activity (2018) [video]

#72

Post by hnlmorg »

bigDinosaur wrote: post #55
Maschinesky wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Godwin himself has also criticized the overapplication of the law, claiming that it does not articulate a fallacy, but rather is intended to reduce the frequency of inappropriate and hyperbolic comparisons. "

In this case it is hyperbolic. Amazon is many bad things, but Nazis they are not (I shouldn't have to say that).

A comparison doesn’t mean a literal equivalence. It means a similarity. In this case there is a similarity with regards to the propaganda. They’re not equivalent but there are definitely not unlike each other either.

Re: Amazon training video on handling unionizing activity (2018) [video]

#73

Post by halflings »

meigwilym wrote: post #22

> Our business model is built on speed, innovation, and customer obsession. Things not generally associated with unions. Unions are there to stop employers using their might to exploit their workers - sorry - associates. Unions and management have a valid stake in the company. No company, no workers, no profit.

Debatable. Unions can also be seen as there to benefit current union workers only.

Milton Friedman is as libertarian as it gets, but he makes a good case about how unions only serve current employees, and have no incentive to see the business grow and serve & hire more people if it does not lead to higher wages for employees.

Re: Amazon training video on handling unionizing activity (2018) [video]

#74

Post by Vinnl »

bigDinosaur wrote: post #55
Maschinesky wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Godwin himself has also criticized the overapplication of the law, claiming that it does not articulate a fallacy, but rather is intended to reduce the frequency of inappropriate and hyperbolic comparisons. "

In this case it is hyperbolic. Amazon is many bad things, but Nazis they are not (I shouldn't have to say that).

But the point of the comparison is not to make Amazon/Bezos out to be Nazis; it's to point out that this practice might in the future be looked upon as an artefact of the times that hopefully no longer happen in the museum visitor's time.

Re: Amazon training video on handling unionizing activity (2018) [video]

#75

Post by uoaei »

username332211 wrote: post #66
Cthulhu_ wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's legalese; they CANNOT be anti-union because the law says so, but they can doublespeak their way around it. This video's script has been thoroughly vetted by a team of legal experts to make sure it conveys an anti-union stance, without saying it out loud and making them liable for union busting.

How can they be banned from having a position on unions? What legislation proscribes that? How has this legislation survived legal challenges on constitutional grounds? Does it apply to NGOs and political parties?

Not an exhaustive list, but:

https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/the-law/in...

Re: Amazon training video on handling unionizing activity (2018) [video]

#76

Post by systemvoltage »

Ensorceled wrote: post #67
systemvoltage wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I love Amazon and will continue to use their store. Just adding some balance here. I don’t immediately watch a clip and decide to protest.

So … this clip is the first bad thing you’ve seen about Amazon and its business practices? Are you one of the 10,000 that is just learning about Amazon today?

[flagged]

Re: Amazon training video on handling unionizing activity (2018) [video]

#78

Post by runeks »

meigwilym wrote: post #22

> Our business model is built on speed, innovation, and customer obsession. Things not generally associated with unions. Unions are there to stop employers using their might to exploit their workers - sorry - associates. Unions and management have a valid stake in the company. No company, no workers, no profit.

Unions are there to take care of the interests of their members. This is undeniably good for their members, but I'd like to remind you that it's not always good for outsiders.

For example, the union of California's prison guards (California Correctional Peace Officers Association) have helped lobby for the "three strikes" rule to get more people in prison: https://academic.oup.com/book/11009/chapter-abstract/1593367...

Re: Amazon training video on handling unionizing activity (2018) [video]

#79

Post by Maschinesky »

bigDinosaur wrote: post #55
Maschinesky wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Godwin himself has also criticized the overapplication of the law, claiming that it does not articulate a fallacy, but rather is intended to reduce the frequency of inappropriate and hyperbolic comparisons. "

In this case it is hyperbolic. Amazon is many bad things, but Nazis they are not (I shouldn't have to say that).

Are you aware of the following?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbeit_macht_frei?wprov=sfla1

In my opinion this it's very well.

Re: Amazon training video on handling unionizing activity (2018) [video]

#80

Post by chang1 »

starbugs wrote: post #8

So I did my first part in trying to support everyone who dislikes this as much as I do. I cancelled my Prime and I will try to not purchase anything from Amazon for a year. It's not much, but it's something. I invite everyone to do the same.

Generally speaking, convenience is king. I find a lot of like-minded people will easily overlook or not even consider what is happening behind the scenes. There is a tradeoff for low prices/convenience and it's not always obvious.

I cancelled Prime about 6 months ago and I thought it would be difficult, but it's actually been fine.

I shopped at Whole Foods for over a decade and there are staples I thought I couldn't find elsewhere. I discovered through a combination of Trader Joe's, my local grocery store, and Aldi, I found replacements for everything, items I like better, and I save way more money!

As for non-grocery items, I'll often try to buy from the manufacturer directly, even if that means paying a little bit more. If I can't find something directly, I'll check Walmart, Target or other established retailers and usually can find something for a comparable price.

I've also made a slow shift to buying used items. For books, on eBay I can often find them used, in like-new condition for a fraction of the cost at Amazon and with free shipping. It's a gamble and sometimes I get books with highlighted pages or cosmetic damage, but it's rare.

And when Amazon is only the cost effective way to purchase something or I can only find it on Amazon, I'll wait until I can hit $25 for free shipping and wade through Amazon's dark patterns in the checkout process. Turns out, "standard shipping" still ships in 2 days because I'm guessing logistically it's better to just keep inventory flowing with all other Prime purchases. My wife managed PTO orders for teachers at our local school through their non-Prime Amazon account... guess what, every order shipped "early" anyway and received within 2 days. Prime is kind of a scam IMO if fast shipping is the draw (although I never utilized other value-add services like Prime Video or Music).

When someone asks me about Amazon and I mention I don't have Prime, I often get shocked responses. I'm not trying to actively dissuade people from Amazon/Prime if they like it, but I'm hoping it will get people thinking.

Convenience is a hell of a drug.

Post reply on HN