At the shareholder meeting on Thursday, May 24th, Amazon announced that it is dropping its support of ALEC (The American Legislative Exchange Council) in the face of "public concerns." This is a direct result of consistent, public pressure. When we all stick to it and work together we can make a difference. From the Seattle Times.
Amid protests, Amazon says it will improve warehouse conditions.
by Amy Martinez
More than 100 protesters rallied outside Amazon's annual meeting Thursday at the Seattle Art Museum, where the company told shareholders it planned to improve warehouse conditions and drop its membership in a conservative public-policy organization.
During the meeting, Amazon founder and Chief Executive Jeff Bezos said the company will spend $52 million this year retrofitting its warehouses with air conditioning. Amazon has come under heavy criticism for conditions at its warehouses after a Pennsylvania newspaper revealed that employees were forced to work in temperatures above 100 degrees last summer.
In response to a shareholder's question, general counsel Michelle Wilson said Amazon has decided not to renew its membership in the nonprofit ALEC.
"This year, we've decided not to renew with ALEC, and it's because of positions they've taken not related to our business," Wilson said.