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

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

#141

Post by blamazon »

baal80spam wrote: post #77

Before grabbing your pitchforks, how about some proof this isn't completely made-up?

As evidence of authenticity, Amazon commented on the matter officially after Gizmodo reported this leak in 2018,[1] which I have pasted an excerpt of below.

> We’re perplexed as to why Gizmodo takes issue with a company wanting to better engage its employees, train hundreds of managers to maintain an open and direct dialogue with associates, and create channels to drive innovation on behalf of the customer in a caring and inclusive environment. The reporter clearly cherry-picked soundbites from the video to meet his editorial objective and do not align with our view on how to create career opportunities for employees.

[1] https://gizmodo.com/amazons-aggressive-anti-union-tactics-re...

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

#142

Post by toastercat »

dkdbejwi383 wrote: post #86
systemvoltage wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

> I oppose unions May I ask why, and if you don't mind, where you're from? I ask because I see anti-union sentiment online fairly often, and typically from Americans. I don't understand why unions are so mistrusted there. I've lived my life in countries where unions are a normal thing that most people wouldn't think twice about, whether they are a member or not.

I'm American and was in a union before. Some of my coworkers disliked the union because it was mandatory to pay fees when you started the job, whether you took advantage of union benefits or not. There was also an incident where an employee threatened to stab another employee, but because of the union, it was very difficult and time-consuming to get them fired (imagine working next to a guy who threatened to stab you for over a month).

That being said, the coworkers who expressed dislike for the union also enjoyed the benefits of guaranteed wage increases, free gym access, and generous holiday time.

I think in general in the USA, there is a view that unions slow down progress and create extra bureacracy, which they often do. There are good unions and bad unions.

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

#143

Post by pjc50 »

janandonly wrote: post #56
29athrowaway wrote: post #23

Transcript: Welcome! We're excited to have you at this training, specifically designed to give you the tools you need for success when it comes to labor organizing. During this course, we will cover important topics such as our position on unions, associate's rights, signs of employee disengagement, and how to identify, escalate, and address associate's concerns. We're not anti-union, but we're not neutral either. We…

Who makes up this stuff? > 'The most obvious signs would include use of words associative with unions or union-led movements such as 'living wage' or 'steward.' Talking about making a living wage is dangerous to shareholders now?

Yes? Every dollar paid to workers is a dollar not available to be paid to shareholders. Hence people with a zero-sum mentality go to extreme lengths to keep pay down.

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

#144

Post by philwelch »

hnbad wrote: post #87
runeks wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.…

Arguably prisons should not be privatized in the first place. There are problems associated with prison and police unions in general but this specific problem is largely a result of prison guards having a direct incentive to want more people in prison.

People who work for the government still, for some idiotic reason, are allowed to form unions.

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

#145

Post by louwrentius »

AnimalMuppet wrote: post #119
louwrentius wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You really should read the book I mentioned since you seem to have zero knowledge about the larger context.

If you've got something to say, you say it. I'm not going to go find, buy, and read a book to find out what your point is.

Isn't it ironic that you reply to a remark meant for someone else showing that you also missed my point/context?

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

#146

Post by yesfitz »

diogenes4 wrote: post #99
nonrandomstring wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

No social movement in history has ever been powered by people being considerate about their consumption patterns. I'm not saying it's a waste of effort, but I am saying this is unlikely to be sufficient to any cause. In fact, I'd posit that it has a far greater (and largely negative) impact on your life than it has a positive one on other peoples' lives.

As a counterpoint, here's a brief history of social movements that were powered (in part) by considerate consumption patterns:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boycott

They were organized of course, which starts by communicating your cause and action to other individuals.

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

#147

Post by developer93 »

diogenes4 wrote: post #99
nonrandomstring wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

No social movement in history has ever been powered by people being considerate about their consumption patterns. I'm not saying it's a waste of effort, but I am saying this is unlikely to be sufficient to any cause. In fact, I'd posit that it has a far greater (and largely negative) impact on your life than it has a positive one on other peoples' lives.

To pick an extreme example, should you steal something that's lying out in the open in a dodgy area because someone else will if you don't? Some things you do for yourself, and an action isn't required to have an effect for it to be moral.

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

#148

Post by developer93 »

dkdbejwi383 wrote: post #84
nonrandomstring wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

I agree with your sentiment, but equally with the other reply that points out how this may backfire and embarrass the gift giver. I've previously turned down Amazon gift cards at things like social games nights, quizzes etc in the past and asked instead for the equivalent value to be donated to charity. In this case I think there's less risk of embarrassing the giver (there's no personal connection) but hopefully ach…

Gift cards in general are a scam, I never understood why giving money is a problem.

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

#149

Post by developer93 »

chang1 wrote: post #80
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…

For non Amazon books, check out bookshop.org if it's in your country yet, they're created to provide an alternative to Amazon for brick & mortar independent retailers. They basically manage inventory & shipping for them and you can direct part of your sale to a specific shop or let be shared among all members.

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

#150

Post by developer93 »

0xEF wrote: post #13
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.

For those that want to follow, what are good online shopping alternatives? I find that most people I talk to are drawn to Amazon simply because Amazon has managed to set an expectation of fast deliver, often as little as same-day delivery in areas that have a warehouse nearby (like the one I live in). I make every effort to shop local, or find alternative places to order online, but one cannot argue the convenience A…

I often use Amazon to search & then just search the brand online, often you can but direct from them
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