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onehandle

(51,122 posts)
Thu May 9, 2013, 07:49 AM May 2013

Amazon Warehouse Workers Sue Over Security Checkpoint Waits

Whenever he clocked out after his 12-hour shift at an Amazon warehouse, Jesse Busk had one more critical task to perform before he could hop into his car and head home to sleep: Pass through the sprawling warehouse security checkpoint.

The purpose of the checkpoint was to prevent workers like Busk from pilfering electronics or other pricey goods from the Amazon stock. The process deeply annoyed Busk, but not because of any indignity he may have felt in being checked for contraband. What bothered him was the time it required after an exhausting day -- up to 25 minutes, all of it unpaid.

"You're just standing there, and everyone wants to get home," said the 36-year-old Busk, who lives in Nevada. "It was not comfortable. There could be hundreds of people waiting at the end of the shift."

Busk, along with Laurie Castro, is a lead plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit that reflects much of the labor discontent in the booming American warehouse business. From 2009 into 2010, Busk was employed as a product "picker" by Integrity Staffing Solutions, a temp agency that supplies workers to the massive online retailer, particularly during the busy holiday season. Busk and a colleague have sued Integrity for back wages, claiming they weren't paid for all the time they actually spent working.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/08/amazon-warehouse-lawsuit-security-checkpoints_n_3232644.html

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Amazon Warehouse Workers Sue Over Security Checkpoint Waits (Original Post) onehandle May 2013 OP
I hope they win Not Sure May 2013 #1
What ever happened to 'travel time' and 'portal to portal'. I've changed my position over the... marble falls May 2013 #2
The Freelancer's Union. Bluenorthwest May 2013 #5
I really appreciate the link. Thankyou! marble falls May 2013 #6
Excellent article on this topic: freedom fighter jh May 2013 #3
Thanks! That is a great article! n/t hootinholler May 2013 #9
Wow - that article really puts this into perspective Not Sure May 2013 #10
Simple fix put the clockout timer on the Heather MC May 2013 #4
That's a contract issue. Union, union, union!!!!! mountain grammy May 2013 #7
Exactly. If they are required to be on the premises... thesquanderer May 2013 #8

Not Sure

(735 posts)
1. I hope they win
Thu May 9, 2013, 09:10 AM
May 2013

Stuff like this makes me crazy. I can't believe the employer has the nuts to even try this.

I have to be completely dressed in my workboots, with all my personal protective gear at my on duty time for my job, so I make it a point to be completely in my street clothes and shoes before I clock out. If they want to make me use my time to wear their equipment, I'll use their time to put mine back on. It's important when the company pushes on issues like this to push back.

marble falls

(56,358 posts)
2. What ever happened to 'travel time' and 'portal to portal'. I've changed my position over the...
Thu May 9, 2013, 09:15 AM
May 2013

years. I am now pro-union to the max and even though I am self employed, I would join a union if I were allowed to show solidarity. I do stay close to the AFL/CIO Website.

 

Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)
5. The Freelancer's Union.
Thu May 9, 2013, 09:52 AM
May 2013

"We're helping the diverse self-employed community build a powerful voice – in politics and in markets. We connect freelancers to group-rate benefits, resources, community, and political action to improve their lives – and their bottom lines."
https://www.freelancersunion.org/about/

I don't know much about them as I have a Union or two but I met a person who is a part of that Union so I'd heard about it...

Not Sure

(735 posts)
10. Wow - that article really puts this into perspective
Thu May 9, 2013, 04:52 PM
May 2013

I'm so grateful right now I vow to never complain about my job again. Honestly, I might make it 24 hours without a complaint, but the perspective will keep me from taking it for granted for awhile.

thesquanderer

(11,953 posts)
8. Exactly. If they are required to be on the premises...
Thu May 9, 2013, 10:30 AM
May 2013

...then they are entitled to be paid for the time.

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