This week, Amazon employees at the company’s biggest air hub in California went on strike in protest of lower pay and inadequate safety measures.
A group of workers at the San Bernardino facility who are uniting under the name Inland Empire Amazon Workers United organized the work stoppage on Monday. One of the company’s large air cargo hubs, known as KSBD, is where Amazon-branded planes deliver packages to warehouses all over the nation.
The Washington Post reported that more than 150 employees took part in the walkout, citing estimates from the organizers. Amazon argued that out of the facility’s 1,500 employees, about 74 employees took a sick day.
Amazon is being urged by the Inland Empire Amazon Workers United to raise the base pay rate from $17 to $22 per hour.
According to the Warehouse Worker Resource Center, a nonprofit that represents workers in the Inland Empire, a region east of Los Angeles, more than 900 workers have signed a petition calling for pay raises.
According to Paul Flaningan, an Amazon spokesperson, full-time workers at the facility can make up to $19.25 per hour, depending on their shift.
The group also expressed worries about the heat being “suffocating.” At the San Bernardino airport, temperatures last month reached 95 degrees or higher 24 times, according to the group. Since workers have previously complained to facility managers about the high temperatures, more rest areas have been added.
According to Flaningan, 77 degrees is the facility’s highest recorded temperature. He claimed that the business upholds the freedom of speech of its employees.
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While constantly seeking ways to improve, Flaningan said, “we remain proud of the competitive pay, extensive benefits, and enjoyable, secure work environment we provide our teams in the region.
The group also expressed concern about how “suffocating” the heat was. According to the group, temperatures at the San Bernardino airport last month were 95 degrees or higher 24 times. More rest areas have been added as a result of workers’ prior complaints about the hot temperatures to facility managers.
Flaningan claims that the facility’s highest recorded temperature is 77 degrees. He asserted that the company upholds the employees’ right to free speech.
Flaningan stated that “we remain proud of the competitive pay, extensive benefits, and enjoyable, secure work environment we provide our teams in the region, even as we continually look for ways to improve.
