Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nerdlass on November 16, 2011 at 6:01pm

I'll be using Thinkgeek for most of my holiday shopping, but I gotta admit, it can be difficult to shop for people back home without using Amazon.com, when you live abroad. That said, I might be able to accomplish this. I'm hoping to bring some gifts from Japan, so it should even out...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Maruli Marulaki on November 16, 2011 at 7:19pm

If you suggest to boycott Amazon to support the workers, please give a link to get direct information.     

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tenken on November 16, 2011 at 8:00pm

Agreed.  A quick search didn't help me figure out what boycott he's talking about either.  What's this boycott about?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tenken on November 16, 2011 at 8:43pm

And by "he" I mean "she"!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JoAnn Keenan on November 16, 2011 at 11:02pm

Sorry, folks. After posting, I went hunting for the link from within the last week and was unable to find it. It was definitely about current working conditions at at least one Amazon location, and is a worker action. If I can find it, I'll post. In any case, I'll continue my boycott, since I've never liked Amazon.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Pat on November 17, 2011 at 7:00am

Here's the link.  It's about a warehouse in Allentown, PA, where temperatures reached 110 degrees, and if you couldn't cut it, were fired.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-allentown-amazon-complaints-2011...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tenken on November 17, 2011 at 9:02am

Thanks!  Yeah, I am inclined not to support Amazon after reading that.  It sounds like they are working their employees harder than I would like.  I'll wait another week for my package if it means better working conditions.  Actually, I'll wait as along as it takes.  Have things changed since the article?  Are there any alternative online stores with known good working conditions for employees?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Maruli Marulaki on November 17, 2011 at 1:34pm

Thanks for the links.   That is inappropriate treatment of hard working people.   Unfortunately while Amazon is the direct culprit, indirectly it is the logical outcome of capitalistic conditions: 

Competition, customers buying the cheapest, greedy managers allowing themselves high salaries and exploiting the workers.  

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Anne Gunther on November 17, 2011 at 9:41am

I'm sure with your boycotting you are going to throw a few bucks Nexus's way right? The Amazon request was simply another alternative. Atheist Nexus should not be punished for Amazon's actions, and I'm sure you're grateful that you were able to post this info here.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JoAnn Keenan on November 17, 2011 at 10:14am

Thanks, Pat, for finding/posting that link.

Actually, I think it a bit ironic that AtheistNexus is promoting celebrating the religious holiday season.

For online bookstores, there are better options than Amazon, like Powells Books which is unionized and offers great selections and deals.

Frequently, very good organizations that I support come up with fundraising plans employing strange business alliances, for example credit cards backed by BofA or sweatshop T-shirts. I don't participate, and usually voice my objection, sometimes offering a check instead when I can afford it. I just cannot betray my own principles, even to support an otherwise good cause.

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Nick on November 17, 2011 at 1:47pm

Hi , why are the workers boycotting Amazon? I am also a worker but it does not mean they are always right, just because they are workers ,you need to know both sides of an argument.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Pat on November 17, 2011 at 4:02pm

You're welcome everyone  But even after reading the article, I'm not sure whether the boycott is necessarily a good thing.  I know plenty of people who work their rear ends off in 100+ and -1 or less, weather; farmers, highway construction crews, line men for power companies, etc.  And, after the Army and before college, I worked in dog food factory cleaning animal by products and doing other disgusting tasks, in 100+ weather.  (Incredible motivational program to get me to college).  Seems there's a couple of solutions here.  

First, I'm all in favor of OSHA inspections.  I think they could do more, but it is at least it's a start.

Second, I'm of the opinion that the best thing the workers could do is organize, and get a labor union to come in and represent them.  But, of course, that's up to the workers.  

 

• ▶ Reply