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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]

#101
post #13
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…

In Poland, the major competitor to Amazon is Allegro (https://allegro.pl/). It's an online shopping platform that is not as centralised as Amazon. It's more of a marketplace where both small and larger sellers can list their items. In tandem with InPost (which has lockers spread around entire country), Allegro creates a great and efficient online shopping experience. The only drawback for me really is that sometimes if you order a numer of things, they will all come shipped separately.

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

#102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wait until you learn what happens to returned packages.

Wait, what happens to returned packages? Now I'm curious about that too.

In many cases returned packages were simply destroyed. This is also true for some other online retailers though. There are infamous videos of employees chucking various expensive items into something looking like an industrial woodchipper. Some brands explicitly don't want used/opened items to be resold because it drives down the demand/price for their goods.

At least in Germany at least some returned items seem to be refurbished though. This would explain some reviews I've been seeing of people complaining about the "new" product they ordered having clearly been opened/touched before or missing small parts like screws. I've also heard that any item that doesn't arrive unopened in its original packaging is automatically considered "used" regardless of whether it was ever even removed from the packaging.

I don't trust Amazon but I believe them that they have reduced the amount of returns they destroy, even if only due to the public pressure.

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

#103
post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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...

I like how hidden in the middle of a list of normal or at least defensible things there's bizarre stuff like "Convey the message that selecting a union would be futile."

Tried to look into the actual law[1] and it includes the following sentence: "The expressing of any views, argument, or opinion, or the dissemination thereof, whether in written, printed, graphic, or visual form, shall not constitute or be evidence of an unfair labor practice under any of the provisions of this subchapter, if such expression contains no threat of reprisal or force or promise of benefit."

Seems kinda scummy that the NLRB's guidance to it's own enabling act explicitly contradicts the protections for a basic human right enshrined in the act.

Makes you wonder how much US businessmen's union busting is based on fear of organized labor, and how much of it is not wanting to give the NLRB power over them. Wouldn't be surprised if China or South-East Asia has better labor relations than the US in a few decades.

[1] https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/29/158

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

#104
post #80
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…

If you’re turning to trader joe’s to boycott anti-union behavior, I have bad news for you…

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

#106
post #82

What a beautiful example of propaganda, in the truest sense of the term. The guitar intro is folksy, the guy is warm and lovely, and _excited_ to have us at this training.... it's about your "success". Success of course, is not getting fired for being a collaborator with counter-revolutionary "associates" who reject Generalissimo Uberführer Bezos inspired vision and "history making" five year masterplan for "direct w…

Years 2020 and 2021 are rich for topic about propaganda. I never understood why there was something like holocaust in history. After covid, I understand how fear, media and oppression shape behavior. What bothers me more is question, if we can ever learn from history.

I think human nature has a floor and ceiling. Capacity for good and bad that everyone shares. And I think people underestimate (or overestimate?) the floor of human nature. They think its higher than it is. And that everyone shares it.

Thats not to say human nature is bad. Its a spectrum.

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

#107
post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Before employees, partners, and associates it was workers. All part of the same old euphemism treadmill. "Städare" (cleaner) becoming "lokalvårdare" (environment caretaker) is a personal favourite from my childhood in Sweden. Same darn job and pay; that fancy new name cost your employer nothing other than a new badge of course.

> "Städare" (cleaner) becoming "lokalvårdare" We often call it "facility management" / "facility manager" in the German world.

Just to be clear: we use those exact English words in German. "Manager" in this case is just a euphemism although normally "Manager" is used exactly as in English (i.e. someone overseeing other people).

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

#108
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…

I like getting Alexa devices every holiday and putting them straight into the garbage without unboxing.

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

#109

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…

> We're not anti-union, but we're not neutral either.

We're not racist, but ...

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

#110
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

In Poland, the major competitor to Amazon is Allegro ( https://allegro.pl/ ). It's an online shopping platform that is not as centralised as Amazon. It's more of a marketplace where both small and larger sellers can list their items. In tandem with InPost (which has lockers spread around entire country), Allegro creates a great and efficient online shopping experience. The only drawback for me really is that sometime…

> The only drawback for me really is that sometimes if you order a numer of things, they will all come shipped separately.

Amazon does this too. My fiancée frequently places one order for 5-6 items and receives 3-4 different packages throughout the week.

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