*Millions of Americans have lost their jobs in recent weeks due to the spread of COVID-19 and subsequent instructions by the CDC and our government for all non-essential businesses to close.
For others who remain employed, while they’re fortunate to be earning a living at this time, they still risk contracting the dreaded virus while they’re at work, especially if their duties involve personal contact with other people.
According to various health experts and epidemiologists, COVID-19 is highly contagious and can easily be transferred from one individual to another if they’re in close proximity.
the virus can also survive for weeks on hard plastic and metal surfaces, making it particularly hazardous for anyone working in a warehouse or a loading dock.
These dangers prompted a group of Amazon employees to stage a “walkout” recently at one of the company’s warehouses in Staten Island, New York. Their bold gesture wasn’t received well by management, resulting in one of them being fired.
Chris Smalls says he was terminated by Amazon once management learned it was his idea to orchestrate a protest.
After a coworker tested positive for the virus, Smalls says he and other employees weren’t happy with the lack of effort by Amazon to create a safe and hazard-free work environment.
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“Amazon would rather fire workers than face up to its total failure to do what it should to keep us, our families, and our communities safe,” Smalls said in a statement. “I am outraged and disappointed, but I’m not shocked. As usual, Amazon would rather sweep a problem under the rug than act to keep workers and working communities safe.”
Smalls told CNBC that all he and his coworkers were asking for was “a simple building closure and [for] it to be professionally sanitized.” He said that “people were afraid and that’s all we were asking for; nothing more, nothing less.”
A spokesperson from Amazon has a different story, confirming to CNBC that yes Smalls was fired, but only as a result of him being the one creating health risks by violating social distancing guidelines after being given “multiple warnings.”
“Despite that instruction to stay home with pay, he came onsite today, March 30, further putting the teams at risk,” the spokesperson said. “This is unacceptable and we have terminated his employment as a result of these multiple safety issues.”
In a statement, Amazon called the workers’ accusations “unfounded” and claimed they work hard at keeping their workers safe.
“Like all businesses grappling with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we are working hard to keep employees safe while serving communities and the most vulnerable,” the company said in a statement. “The truth is the vast majority of employees continue to show up and do the heroic work of delivering for customers every day.”
New York State Attorney General Letitia James is taking the side of the workers, calling Smalls’ firing “disgraceful.”
“At the height of a global pandemic, Chris Smalls and his colleagues publicly protested the lack of precautions that Amazon was taking to protect them from COVID-19. Today, Chris Smalls was fired,” James said in a statement.
“In New York, the right to organize is codified into law, and any retaliatory action by management related thereto is strictly prohibited. At a time when so many New Yorkers are struggling and are deeply concerned about their safety, this action was also immoral and inhumane.
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