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Moosepoop

(2,075 posts)

112. Not only did Amazon take no steps until OSHA got involved...

Reply to Amerigo Vespucci (Original post)

Sat May 26, 2012, 12:53 PM

May 2012

... OSHA was notified by a local ER doctor who was treating a high number of Amazon employees for heat-related illness.

The area has a large number of warehouses employing people, but only Amazon had people landing in the ER.

For some time, they weren't even doing the things that other warehouses did during heat spells, such as providing any fans or opening the doors to the loading docks at each end of the building for air flow. They just let the inside of the buildings become ovens, and then issued demerits and ultimately pink slips to employees who succumbed to the heat or even slowed down their work pace at all.

The majority of the employees are "temps" from a hiring agency, resulting in very high turnover as they fired and replaced these employees for not being able to withstand the heat AND keep up the pace they demanded. Throwaway employees -- and throw them away they did (and do).

Here's a detailed article on it from last September... http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-allentown-amazon-complaints-20110917,0,7937001,full.story

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After protest, Amazon workers finally get AC (some work in 110 degree temps for $11/hr) [View all] Amerigo Vespucci May 2012 OP

that's just gross renate May 2012 #1

Spam deleted by Violet_Crumble (MIR Team) misshu May 2012 #188

Spam deleted by Violet_Crumble (MIR Team) misshu May 2012 #189

People who do construction work routinely have to endure conditions at least that bad.. Fumesucker May 2012 #2

Because one group is exploited, its OK to exploit another... arendt May 2012 #15

Eh, as someone who did construction work for many years I just find the hypocrisy interesting.. Fumesucker May 2012 #43

no, you don't support all workers. That is clearly not true. cali May 2012 #45

And you know this how, cali? Fumesucker May 2012 #46

The citation of a single example sibelian May 2012 #76

What makes you think that because DUers are responding to a particular situation that sabrina 1 May 2012 #126

You and I agree a lot more than we disagree sabrina.. Fumesucker May 2012 #154

Sorry, knee-jerk reaction on my part. I was thinking of only my own reaction to the story sabrina 1 May 2012 #166

I think on DU construction workers are stereotyped as lower class white males.. Fumesucker May 2012 #169

Try being a Certified Nursing Assistant. IME Construction jobs pay more than the more back-breaking shcrane71 May 2012 #204

When the tornado or hurricane or ice storm hits, how many of these posters worry about the linemen? FarCenter May 2012 #129

What makes you think that DUers don't care about liberalhistorian May 2012 #146

I currently work construction, and they were breaking OSHA standards. joshcryer May 2012 #151

beside I don't believe it to be the norm for construction work. unapatriciated May 2012 #136

Note that the 110 is not thermometer temperature; it is the bogus "heat index" FarCenter May 2012 #142

Heat index is informative because your body cannot evaporate heat away... joshcryer May 2012 #156

True, but the headline and comments ignore the difference between temperature, heat index, and shade FarCenter May 2012 #162

Do you think that Amazon warehouse was 110 degrees year round? Fumesucker May 2012 #158

So, that makes it OK, then? MineralMan May 2012 #88

That is not how it was in the past. unapatriciated May 2012 #135

By no means are all construction jobs outside.. Fumesucker May 2012 #172

Many of the trades you mention can choose to join unions and work under work rules that make it Brickbat May 2012 #174

6.9%, that's union members in the private work force.. Fumesucker May 2012 #177

Oh, you wouldn't believe the multitudes who are the subject of my contempt. Brickbat May 2012 #184

Hold on tightly to your prejudices.. Fumesucker May 2012 #186

My husband did that for years. YellowRubberDuckie May 2012 #3

I don't think we want to go back to the bad old times... angstlessk May 2012 #4

Skip is 40. YellowRubberDuckie May 2012 #12

And your point is what?? arendt May 2012 #16

+100 nt Selatius May 2012 #20

No. The guy who replied to me acted like it was back in the olden days. YellowRubberDuckie May 2012 #34

Heh, sounds like me, I quit the banquets because they got too expensive. joshcryer May 2012 #144

Post removed Post removed May 2012 #29

No... YellowRubberDuckie May 2012 #33

They survived? Really? Are you saying there haven't been heat cali May 2012 #37

I never said there were no fatalities... YellowRubberDuckie May 2012 #47

and I think you're being callous and ridiculous cali May 2012 #49

Really? YellowRubberDuckie May 2012 #75

I disagree. sibelian May 2012 #77

Sounds to me like you aer speaking from your husband's experience.... Bluenorthwest May 2012 #82

We didn't have mass production and a global logistics network until the 20th century too. Sirveri May 2012 #64

1936 heat wave, 5,000 deaths. No Air conditioning then. Manifestor_of_Light May 2012 #145

Except that before the advent and widespread use of liberalhistorian May 2012 #148

Allowing for breaks and a slower pace makes a huge difference in those conditions - hedgehog May 2012 #116

there is a huge difference between 90 degrees and 110 degrees. unapatriciated May 2012 #137

People took three or four hour lunchs and slept through the hottest part of the day. wickerwoman May 2012 #176

How in the hell can they air condition that huge uninsulated space? alphafemale May 2012 #5

It's called 'the cost of doing business'. xchrom May 2012 #6

Enjoy paying $100 for that shirt that was $12.95 yesterday! alphafemale May 2012 #7

price rise is a management decision to avoid reducing already high profits nt msongs May 2012 #9

Apparently they don't think that's going to happen. xchrom May 2012 #10

Yes, because workers suffering heatstroke is preferable to paying a few dollars more for a shirt. Selatius May 2012 #27

No. I'm just aware of what it would cost to air condition a warehouse. alphafemale May 2012 #35

oh bullshit, dear. If there's no way around it, no way to ac a warehouse cali May 2012 #38

Yeah. Maybe something will cool an uninsulated building that is 100K sq feet a 10th of a degree. alphafemale May 2012 #41

LOL! And I suppose you have an engineering degree? cali May 2012 #44

They heat them...WHERE? alphafemale May 2012 #48

They heat and AC warehouses obamanut2012 May 2012 #65

Oh fer fuck's sake's. try using your little grey cells. cali May 2012 #72

I'm always amazed at how cool the Home Depots are on 100 degree days. Hassin Bin Sober May 2012 #171

When I shop at Costco in winter, I take off my coast obamanut2012 May 2012 #178

You are kidding,I hope. Swede May 2012 #92

Well over 90% of the warehouses I've designed reflection May 2012 #193

So? And? AND??? Which are you saying we should choose Zalatix May 2012 #56

Oh, are you, now? Doubtless you will enlighten us all. sibelian May 2012 #78

Figures? We don't need no stinkin' FIGURES! Zalatix May 2012 #85

Odd that other workplaces seem to manage it, isn't it? sibelian May 2012 #98

There are a lot of ways to bring make warehouses comfortable without breaking the bank - hedgehog May 2012 #120

They had no trouble paying daily for liberalhistorian May 2012 #150

to no one's surprise, YOU are full of it. See Reflection's post cali May 2012 #192

Is there a DU rule against betting you on this crazy statement? Zalatix May 2012 #73

Amazon annual gross profits 2011 $11.87 billion. So LOL. Bluenorthwest May 2012 #86

Yes, because the only thing, the ONLY THING IN THE FUCKING WORLD THAT MATTERS . . . hatrack May 2012 #94

Yah...your math. I'm going to have to call bogus MineralMan May 2012 #100

Enjoy that $12.95 shirt knowing that someone had heat stroke to get it to you! hedgehog May 2012 #118

That's the argument that's been used against improving workers' conditions since time immemorial LeftishBrit May 2012 #200

Those places run 24/7. Ikonoklast May 2012 #13

The same way they air condition that giant warehouse like building called Wal-Mart. nt Selatius May 2012 #26

That is not a warehouse. It was built with insulation. alphafemale May 2012 #42

You don't seem to have a point. sibelian May 2012 #80

Of course they insulate warehouses. Swede May 2012 #89

Yeah, I'm not getting that line of reasoning, either obamanut2012 May 2012 #97

Exactly GObamaGO May 2012 #114

We will either the same for that 12.95 shirt, or possibly 12.99 obamanut2012 May 2012 #128

I deliver to several Wal Mart DC's every week. Ikonoklast May 2012 #109

Poor, poor multi-national corporation. TBF May 2012 #95

Maybe they could like, you know, INSULATE THE SPACE!!!!! hedgehog May 2012 #117

I think its called retrofitting. cstanleytech May 2012 #153

I've worked several warehouse jobs, and never had AC. Just as hot in Michigan as Penn... nt Romulox May 2012 #8

That doesn't mean it should be the norm TBF May 2012 #96

So...*you* worked in a warehouse without AC, which is how you "know" that I didn't? Romulox May 2012 #138

In your opinion - but I'll take that over having TBF May 2012 #168

Your responses to me are bizarre, to say the least. nt Romulox May 2012 #194

Anything to avoid the subject ... nt TBF May 2012 #199

And Coal Miners working at 1 mile below ground should have natural sunlight throughout the day! alphafemale May 2012 #11

From the article: "On one June day alone, 15 workers collapsed from the heat." sibelian May 2012 #101

And coal miners worldwide have protested and organized for better conditions as long as there have suffragette May 2012 #104

Amazon calls their warehouses "fulfillment centers." Moosepoop May 2012 #105

Well, instead of heat stroke liberalhistorian May 2012 #159

They should at any rate have their conditions regulated by their own health and safety needs, not LeftishBrit May 2012 #201

After reading the comments, I can't believe this is DU arendt May 2012 #14

You got that right. underseasurveyor May 2012 #17

I totally agree with you. peabody May 2012 #19

I think what's happening is a lot of Republicans are switching to Democrats. Selatius May 2012 #21

I think you hit the nail on the head Douglas Carpenter May 2012 #24

They hold not just right wing ideas, also right wing ethical standards Bluenorthwest May 2012 #83

Hadn't thought of that. Iggo May 2012 #111

I agree, quite sickening. Son of Gob May 2012 #22

I'm stunned at what I am reading Marrah_G May 2012 #23

Makes me sick and furious. I wish I could cali May 2012 #39

I was just coming to post this obamanut2012 May 2012 #63

sadly agree with you Whisp May 2012 #74

This thread is particularly bad. sibelian May 2012 #79

Agree arendt. It is appalling to see this on DU. suffragette May 2012 #107

Looks like it's the usual group of pro-business peeps. joshcryer May 2012 #143

I know, I've noticed this more and liberalhistorian May 2012 #160

"If this thread is any indication, the troll level on this board is approaching critical." Occulus May 2012 #181

If you can't sympathize or understand what it's like read this article from Mother Jones. likesmountains 52 May 2012 #18

a must read dana_b May 2012 #106

I wonder when we're going to get AC.... PavePusher May 2012 #25

But we are HORRIBLE people! alphafemale May 2012 #36

Now that you've reached that conclusion.... sibelian May 2012 #81

Bullwhips are cheap. Iterate May 2012 #103

And some of them pass out and end up in the hospital, some have even died from bad and sabrina 1 May 2012 #131

People who work where AC isn't possible can have work rules to ensure they aren't exploited or Brickbat May 2012 #55

Laughing at workers who are trying to improve working conditions should be a PPR level offense. Zalatix May 2012 #61

I may agree with that obamanut2012 May 2012 #67

Saying "Toughen up" in response to working conditions that can kill people, too. Zalatix May 2012 #70

yes! Why is it that 15 people on one day dana_b May 2012 #108

Because they weren't tough enough. Iggo May 2012 #113

People died. Perhaps that's why your fellow AFB workers have been asking for AC? Zalatix May 2012 #58

I think it's time for the CEO's to toughen up too - TBF May 2012 #102

Let go of your pearls, you could get a fit of the vapours sabrina 1 May 2012 #127

Out of the gungeon for this shitty comment, eh Hassin Bin Sober May 2012 #173

"How did anyone survive before AC? " — uh, they died. Or got very sick. NYC Liberal May 2012 #185

Sounds like the Auto Zone distribution center B Calm May 2012 #28

I'm also horrified by the sicko posts saying the workers cali May 2012 #30

I'm going to take the unprecedented step and totally agree with you 10000000000000000% - Douglas Carpenter May 2012 #31

wtf is going on in this thread? cali May 2012 #40

Until recently, it was difficult to hire Americans for foundry jobs FarCenter May 2012 #123

so here we have a story about how low-wage workers won a battle for improved conditions and there Douglas Carpenter May 2012 #32

No, you have members of DU pointing out that some people can't have comfortable working conditions. Fumesucker May 2012 #50

the OP is about low wage workers working for Amazon will have vastly improved working Douglas Carpenter May 2012 #52

Can you point to any actual words on this thread against better conditions? Fumesucker May 2012 #53

I think you know very well that some of the comments are suggesting - in fact stating clearly that Douglas Carpenter May 2012 #54

Should jobs that by their nature are performed in hostile conditions be paid significantly more? Fumesucker May 2012 #59

In many cases they are -- because people have agitated for it, as the Amazon workers are doing here. Brickbat May 2012 #60

correct and in the past many areas of construction where conditions were hazardous you received unapatriciated May 2012 #140

I think so - yes. Douglas Carpenter May 2012 #62

I note that Ceasar Chavez sought to improve the conditions for farm workers Bluenorthwest May 2012 #84

+ 1,000,000 suffragette May 2012 #110

Those of us who have actually done the "extreme condition" jobs are all too aware of this.. Fumesucker May 2012 #161

Why are these off the radar? Because people who work in construction aren't agitating for Brickbat May 2012 #57

Where has anyone on this thread said they are unhappy the workers got better conditions? Fumesucker May 2012 #66

well maybe it's a missunderstanding - so let's ask the question.. Is everyone here happy that these Douglas Carpenter May 2012 #68

If I have to read sarcastic comments and calls for the workers to "toughen up" and people whining Brickbat May 2012 #69

No tombstone. Let us resist, and fight back HARD. Zalatix May 2012 #71

Several posters seem to think it's deserving of ridicule and unnecessary obamanut2012 May 2012 #87

At least one person here predicted that $13 shirts would go up to $100 because of this. Zalatix May 2012 #93

Please don't be disingenuous. sibelian May 2012 #99

As was pointed out above - both farm workers and people in the construction hedgehog May 2012 #121

But they didn't lumberjack_jeff May 2012 #119

well it is true that outside groups had to take up the campaign in order for them to win humane Douglas Carpenter May 2012 #132

I'd feel better about the whole thing if the workers were exerting some influence on the issue. lumberjack_jeff May 2012 #180

The space could be much more efficient siligut May 2012 #51

If they can cool down those giant malls and casinos in Vegas,they can with warehouses. Swede May 2012 #90

Back in the late 60s, I worked in a warehouse for a while. MineralMan May 2012 #91

Not only did Amazon take no steps until OSHA got involved... Moosepoop May 2012 #112

Exactly. These are choices Amazon made - same as temp workers and building features suffragette May 2012 #115

i wish there was a way to rec your post! hedgehog May 2012 #122

Thanks and I feel the same way about your #121 response upthread suffragette May 2012 #124

Your kind words make me hedgehog May 2012 #125

Which is why I have a Costco card in my billfold, and not Sam's Club obamanut2012 May 2012 #130

You've been making great points in this thread suffragette May 2012 #205

Excellent posts throughout this thread Suffragette, I too wish I could rec all of them. Costco sabrina 1 May 2012 #133

An interesting side note is how Wall Street devalues these actions and consistently downgrades them suffragette May 2012 #206

Thanks for the story, sounds like OSHA cracked down and they couldn't cover it up. joshcryer May 2012 #149

Post removed Post removed May 2012 #134

"a ware house is HOT in the SUMMER?" - yes, hot enough that some people collapsed... sibelian May 2012 #139

You realize I come from Union Blood. alphafemale May 2012 #141

I come from union blood that has been shed and unapatriciated May 2012 #152

I don't care what sort of blood you come from. sibelian May 2012 #155

Does your "Union Blood" have one iota of respect for OSHA? joshcryer May 2012 #157

Really? You sure could have fucking fooled me. liberalhistorian May 2012 #163

You're adorable. Brickbat May 2012 #164

I cannot even directly answer this poster obamanut2012 May 2012 #167

omg. increasingly lame cali May 2012 #165

The Tower Guard Union? Hassin Bin Sober May 2012 #175

omg obamanut2012 May 2012 #179

Your history with Pinkerton Security doesn't count n/t Occulus May 2012 #182

That doesn't necessarily make you pro-labour; one of our most right-wing Tory MPs, David Davis, is a LeftishBrit May 2012 #202

Heat waves are the most lethal type of weather phenomenon. Manifestor_of_Light May 2012 #147

In a few years the AC will be cooling the robots doing their jobs. jp11 May 2012 #170

You think that's not going to happen if they don't install AC? Are you kidding me? Zalatix May 2012 #187

I am a professional engineer specializing in HVAC, reflection May 2012 #183

thanks for posting cali May 2012 #190

thanks for posting..more people should see this - maybe you should consider making this your own Douglas Carpenter May 2012 #191

I appreciate the thought reflection May 2012 #198

Wish I could rec your post. Thanks for adding your expertise to this thread suffragette May 2012 #203

This place has gone off the deep-end. Now, we have to *pretend* that it's normal for warehouses to Romulox May 2012 #195

some of you are espousing that it's just the cost of doing business to have cali May 2012 #196

You might look up "espousing". I'm just sharing my experiences. It's strange to call people names Romulox May 2012 #197