As hundreds rally outside Amazon's shareholder meeting, company makes major concession on working conditions and cuts ties to ALEC

Guest User May 24, 2012

Peaceful persistent pressure from the 99% gets results

On a cold and drizzly morning, hundreds of people gathered outside — and inside — Amazon's shareholder meeting today for a fair share protest calling on the giant retailer to stop dodging taxes, to treat all workers with respect, and to cut ties to the shadowy and extreme right-wing organization known as ALEC. In addition to the hundreds outside, the shareholder meeting itself drew 200 people today, more than twice as many people as have attended in past years.

As a thought bubble floated above the iconic Hammering Man saying "I wish Amazon paid its fair share", supporters of Working Washington, Washington CAN, Other 98, and Fuse Washington joined with hundreds of other concerned community members to seize the opportunity provided by the shareholder meeting to make sure that top executives from the giant retailer heard what the 99% had to say.

Showing once more the power of persistent, peaceful protest, Amazon's corporate leaders made substantial concessions at the shareholder meeting today: in response to repeated questions about Amazon's support of ALEC, corporate leaders announced they are not renewing their membership in ALEC. After months of pressure about working conditions — including an event that brought 2 workers from Amazon's Pennsylvania warehouse to speak out at their South Lake Union headquarters earlier this month — the company also announced they will invest $52 million to improve warehouse working conditions. We applaud these substantial moves towards social responsibility, and hope to see a similar change in their perspective on corporate tax loopholes in the months ahead.

"It was amazing to be there to hear these corporate executives respond to popular pressure by cutting ties to ALEC and investing in better conditions for warehouse workers. This really shows how public protest can take something they say is impossible and make it happen," said Rev. Angela Ying, a shareholder who attended the meeting and witnessed Amazon's concessions. Echoing the Hammering Man's thought bubble, Rev. Ying added: "But I still wish Amazon paid its fair share of taxes."

Amazon's major announcements come after months of growing public pressure over the giant retailer's record on workers and taxes, and their support of ALEC.

Working Washington is bringing people together to fight for a fair economy — and that means holding corporations like Amazon accountable to pay their fair share and make sure all the jobs they create are good jobs. We're taking creative, direct action to call on elected officials, big corporations, and the top 1% to do what it takes to stop the cuts to education, health care, and other services. It's time to build an economy that works for everyone, not just the top 1%. For more information, visit WorkingWa.org

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BREAKING NEWS: Amazon to drop its support of ALEC and improve warehouse conditions.

Working Washington May 24, 2012

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.

More than 500 to attend "Fair share" rally Thursday at Amazon shareholder meeting in downtown Seattle

Guest User May 23, 2012

The 99% will call on giant retailer to pay their taxes, treat workers with respect, and dump ALEC

More than 500 people will converge at the Seattle Art Museum's Hammering Man this morning for a major "fair share" protest outside Amazon's annual shareholder meeting.

While Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and other corporate executives plan to use the shareholder meeting to celebrate their financial success, the 99% have something different planned. More than five hundred of us will rally under the Hammering Man — right outside the room where the meeting is taking place — to send a loud and clear fair share message: it's time for the giant retailer to share their success with the 99% by paying their fair share of taxes, treating workers with respect, and ending support for the extreme right-wing organization known as ALEC. When: Thursday, May 24th, 8:30 am.

Where: Amazon shareholder meeting at Seattle Art Museum, 1st & University in downtown Seattle.

What/visuals: Hundreds of workers, students, civil right activists, owners of community businesses, people affected by budget cuts, and others will hold a fair share rally at Amazon's annual shareholder meeting. Together, we'll hold a "people's shareholder meeting" and call on Amazon's corporate leaders to pay their share of taxes, treat all workers with respect, and drop support for ALEC and similar groups.

As hundreds rally outside the shareholder meeting, the voices of the 99% will be raised inside the shareholder meeting as well. Several shareholders will be there at the meeting to bring our fair share issues directly before the executives and decision-makers who have chosen to take Amazon down a path of tax-dodging, worker mistreatment, and support for the infamous and extreme right-wing policy group known as ALEC. Interviews with shareholders can be arranged.

This fair share protest of Amazon's business practices comes at the end of a "shareholder spring" that has seen major protests over tax dodging and other issues at Wells Fargo Bank, General Electric, Verizon, and other shareholder meetings.

More information on Amazon fair share issues:

Tax dodging: Recent figures from the tax policy research group Citizens for Tax Justice reveal that Amazon paid an effective Federal income tax rate last year of only 2.6%. They drove their rate so low primarily by taking advantage of a loophole that gives them a $1 tax deduction for every $1 in stock options they give to executives. This continues a downward trend where their tax rate falls every year — from an 11.5% rate in 2008 to a 9.1% rate in 2009 and a 5.5% rate in 2010, despite solid profits. The corporate tax rate set in law is 35%. Corporate tax dodgers report from Citizens for Tax Justice is available online: http://ctj.org/ctjreports/2011/11/corporate_taxpayers_corporate_tax_dodgers_2008-2010.php
Worker mistreatment: Two former workers recently spoke out at the company's headquarters about harsh conditions in Amazon's warehouses, including indoor temperatures that rose above 100 degrees. When workers collapsed from exhaustion, the company's initial response was not to improve ventilation or install air conditioning, but simply to station paramedics outside.
Support for ALEC: Amazon is known to have been a "Director Level" sponsor of ALEC, the shadowy and extreme right-wing organization. In the wake of the Trayvon Martin shooting, ALEC has become notorious for its role in passing "Stand your ground" laws, as well as efforts to create tax loopholes, undermine workers rights, and make it harder for young people & people of color to vote. Now that the group has come under increased scrutiny, many large corporations — including McDonald's, Kraft, and others — have publicly dropped support for ALEC. However, Amazon has so far refused to do the same.

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Contact: Sage Wilson, sage@workingwa.org

TONIGHT: 99% bat signal at Seattle Art Museum announces Amazon Fair Share Rally

Guest User May 22, 2012

Light projections on museum call on giant retailer to pay their taxes, treat workers with respect, and dump ALEC

Like a 99% bat signal, light projections on the Hammering Man and Seattle Art Museum tonight will spread the word about the issues behind a major 500+ person Amazon fair share rally taking place at Amazon's annual shareholder meeting, which is being held later this week at the museum.

With the power of light & art today — and with people power later this week — the 99% will call on the giant retailer to pay its fair share of taxes, treat all workers with respect, and end support for ALEC, the shadowy and extreme right-wing organization.

ALEC is responsible for pushing "stand your ground" laws, unfair tax loopholes, and other extreme legislation. As ALEC's notoriety has come to light, many major corporations like McDonald's and Kraft have officially dropped support for the group. However, Amazon has so far refused to do the same.

When: TONIGHT: Tuesday, May 22nd, beginning at about 9:30 pm.

Where: Seattle Art Museum (location of Amazon shareholder meeting later this week), 1st & University in downtown Seattle

What: Light projections on the Hammering Man and Seattle Art Museum TONIGHT in advance of a major fair share rally at Amazon's annual shareholder meeting.

Amazon's annual shareholder meeting — and our major Amazon fair share rally — will take place just two days from now, at Seattle Art Museum at 8:30 am on Thursday morning.

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CONTACT: Sage Wilson, sage@workingwa.org

99% launch week of action ahead of Amazon Shareholder Meeting on May 24th

Guest User May 18, 2012

Time for the giant retailer to pay their taxes, treat workers with respect, and dump ALEC

The 99% shine a light on Amazon.

While tourists and locals alike watched the 99% sent a message to Amazon using light and the backdrop of the Seattle Art Museum, the location of Amazon's upcoming shareholding meeting.

The messages: "Amazon Dump ALEC," "Amazon Respect Workers," and "Amazon See you on Thursday."

Thursday morning hundreds are expected for a major rally outside of the Amazon shareholder meeting. We'll be there 8:30 am. Come join us.

"99% Theses" calling for reform of corporate behavior left for Board members & executives

In Seattle and across the country, our "99% Theses" are being left at the doors of Amazon's top executives and members of the company's Board of Directors, because board members and top executive benefit from the many indulgences this company and other large corporations receive under our unfair economic and political system. These 99% theses call for an end to corporate indulgences like tax dodging, mistreatment of workers, and support for the shadowy ultra-conservative policy group known as ALEC.

Amazon Board Members will surely hear more about these 99% issues when they attend Amazon's shareholder meeting the morning of May 24th in Seattle.

The 99% take on the "Tax Dodgers."

This weekend the 99% challenged the "Tax Dodgers" to a friendly, but contentious soccer match. Amazon only paid a 2.6% federal income tax rate by taking advantage of a loophole that treats bonuses to executives as write offs. Basically the more they dole out to their executives the less taxes they pay. It's ridiculous.

The "Tax Dodgers" tried to game the system, having extra players on the field and bringing in their own referee. They thought they could push their weight around, but the 99% dug deep and overcame the challenges to defeat them.

We will keep the momentum going to this Thursday, May 24th as we gather outside of Amazon's shareholder meeting at the Seattle Art Museum at 8:30 a.m.

We take our message to the streets.

During the afternoon rush hour on May 18th, several banners appeared over I-5 to bring attention to Amazon's corporate tax dodging, mistreatment of workers, and support for the notorious right-wing group ALEC. This is just the first event in a week of action leading up to a major rally at Amazon's May 24th shareholder meeting at the Seattle Art Museum. Click here for more info about the May 24th rally.

99% taking action all week...

Our week of banner-drops, book readings, tax dodgeball, visits to Amazon board members — and more — will culminate in a major rally outside Amazon's annual shareholder meeting on May 24th. Watch this post for updates as the week of action continues.

As Amazon executives meet to celebrate their business successes, more than 500 workers, students, civil rights activists, people of faith, and more will gather outside the meeting to tell the company they need to do more to share their success with the communities and workers who make it possible. Voices will also be raised inside the shareholder meeting to bring the issues directly before the executives and decision-makers who have chosen to take Amazon down an unaccountable path of tax-dodging, worker mistreatment, and support for ALEC, the infamous and extreme right-wing policy group. Click here for more info about the May 24th rally.

More information on Amazon 99% accountability issues:

Tax dodging: Recent figures from Citizens for Tax Justice reveal that Amazon paid an effective Federal increase rate last year of only 2.6%. They drove their rate so low by taking advantage of a loophole that gives them a $1 tax deduction for every $1 in stock options they give to executives. This continues a downward trend where their tax rate falls every year — from an 11.5% rate in 2008 to a 9.1% rate in 2009 and a 5.5% rate in 2010, despite solid profits. The corporate tax rate set in law is 35%.

Worker treatment: Two warehouse recently spoke out at the company's headquarters about harsh conditions, including indoor temperatures that rose above 100 degrees. When workers collapsed from exhaustion, the company's initial response was not to improve ventilation or install air conditioning, but simply to station paramedics outside.

Support for ALEC: Amazon is known to have been a "Director Level" sponsor of ALEC, the shadowy and extreme right-wing organization. In the wake of the Trayvon Martin shooting, ALEC has become notorious for its role in passing "Stand your ground" laws, as well as efforts to create tax loopholes, undermine workers rights, and make it harder for young people & people of color to vote. Now that the group has come under increased scrutiny, many large corporations — including McDonald's, Kraft, and others — have publicly dropped support for ALEC. However, Amazon has so far refused to publicly renounce their support.

Beneath glittering towers warehouse workers speak out.

Working Washington May 16, 2012

by Nate Jackson Amazon HQ in South Lake Union is an homage to the company’s success—success made in part by taking unfair advantage of their warehouse workers.

Two former Amazon warehouse workers from the infamous Allentown “sweatshop” warehouse came to Seattle to talk directly to the executives in Amazon about the horrible working conditions the workers face.

Karen Salasky, a former employee who passed out from the sweltering warehouse heat, took to the stage overlooking more than a hundred community members who came out in support.

“I really wanted to work hard and do my work,” she said. “But when the heat kept going up, they didn’t do anything about it. It got over 100 degrees inside and instead of installing air conditioning they just had paramedics sit out there in the parking lot.”

Karen was one of many workers who were pushed to the point of exhaustion by the workloads and lack of proper safety concerns.

“This campus here is so pretty,” she said pointing out the new tall buildings. “I wonder how hot it is in there. Hey Jeff! How hot is it in your office?”

The crowd took up the chant yelling out “How hot is it?” up at the reflective glass of the newly constructed towers.

Amazon employees looked out from their offices and stopped as they came back from their lunch breaks. Many of them stayed for the entire event listening to their fellow employees who work for the same company, but are treated as second class employees.

Jim Herbold, a retired warehouse worker spoke to the crowd. He squinted in the sunlight and took the microphone.

“Ya know, I’ve always worked hard,” he started. “I take pride in my work, but these guys, they expect you to work till you drop. They treated us like we were just dispensable, worthless. They think they can just go and get another worker if this one falls down or passes out.”

He went on to explain that the warehouse in Allentown was always hiring and firing people.

“No one worked there longer than 6 months, I swear,” he said. “It was just in and out. They thought people in these tough times would just keep lining up for these bad jobs, but they’re wrong. People are starting to wise up. There’s no reason these jobs couldn’t be good jobs.”

Workers from local Teamsters 117 came out in support of the warehouse workers and the president, John Scearcy took to the stage to offer a few words.

“Working people have always known we were going to have to work hard,” he said. “We accept that. We just want our hard work to be rewarded, not with millions of dollars and crazy perks, just living wages, quality healthcare and the chance to take care of our families.”

The warehouse workers were interviewed by local media while the rest of us wrote our messages to Amazon in chalk on the privately owned public space in the middle of the campus.

One community member wrote “If you can ship me a book in one day you can treat your employees decently.”

Another asked the company to rethink its tax dodging ways.

One community member had an even simpler message: Shame.

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Update: This week we will be having mini actions around Amazon leading up to the May 24th shareholder meeting. Keep your eyes open for corporate tax dodgeball, public outreach and a special surprise having something to do with the Hammering Man at the Seattle Art Museum.

First-Class Profits for Alaska Airlines, Poverty-Class Wages for Airport Workers.

Working Washington May 15, 2012

A new report on jobs at our airport has just been released by Working Washington, OneAmerica, Faith Action Network, and Puget Sound Sage. You can download a full copy of the report here: First-class Airport, Povert-class Jobs: How the Port of Seattle and Alaska Airlines create prosperity for some and economic hardship for others. Here is an excerpt.

Alaska Airlines sheds good jobs to increase profits

However, Alaska has not been generous with every worker responsible for its success.

A key component of the company’s strategy to increase profits has been to contract out increasing portions of its workforce and operations. In the last decade, the value of the work Alaska contracted out has grown from $82 million to $185.1 million.

Over the years, workers who loaded and unloaded bags, fueled jets and assisted passengers with special needs have gone from proudly wearing Alaska Airlines uniforms to wearing a panoply of ever-changing uniforms.

In an even more dramatic move, Alaska began to contract out entire west coast routes to SkyWest Airlines. The jet and the interior of the plane all bear Alaska insignias and color schemes and the only indicator that Alaska is not, in fact, the operator of these jets is a small “SkyWest” insignia on the fuselage.

The result, as well as the underlying purpose, of contracting out these services is lower operational costs through reduced wages, fewer benefits, and decreased job security for workers.

In 2005, Alaska Airlines executives began to subcontract with Menzies Aviation for baggage handling, also known as ramp services, claiming that it would save the company $13 million a year.

Until then, due to a hard-won collective bargaining agreement, Alaska baggage handlers earned an average of $15.59 per hour with a maximum pay of $23 per hour.

With the shift to Menzies, this relatively high wage standard soon plummeted.

Read the full report: First-class airport, Poverty-class Jobs

THURSDAY, 5/10: Amazon warehouse workers to lead good jobs rally at corporate headquarters

Guest User May 9, 2012

Workers from Amazon's sweatshop warehouse in Allentown, PA bring call for good jobs to executive offices in Seattle

TOMORROW, two workers from Amazon's sweatshop warehouse in Pennsylvania will lead a good jobs rally at Amazon's shiny new corporate headquarters in South Lake Union. Together with more than 100 community supporters, these workers will bring their message from Amazon's sweatshop warehouses to the company's air-conditioned executive suites: it's time for the giant retailer to deliver good jobs to the 99%.

The Amazon warehouse workers will be available for interviews throughout the day Wednesday and Thursday.

When: Thursday, May 10, 2012, 12:00 noon sharp

Where: Amazon corporate headquarters: 410 Terry Avenue North, Seattle

What/Visuals: Joined by more than 100 supporters, workers from Amazon's sweatshop warehouse in Pennsylvania will speak out about working conditions and present a copy of a "Warehouse Workers Bill of Rights" at Amazon's corporate headquarters.

Good jobs rally speakers include:

Karen Salasky, Amazon warehouse worker who experienced indoor temperatures above 100 degrees
Jim Herbold, Amazon warehouse worker worker who experienced rough warehouse conditions
John Scearcy, Teamsters 117 President

Amazon's Allentown, Pennsylvania warehouse has become infamous for its brutal working conditions. When workers collapsed from exhaustion as indoor temperatures rose above 100 degrees and the warehouse became a literal sweatshop, the company's initial response was not to increase ventilation or install air conditioning, but simply to station paramedics outside.

Two former employees from this warehouse are coming to Seattle to bring their call for good jobs directly to Amazon's executives, employees, and hometown community. Together with more than a hundred local supporters, they'll call on the giant retailer to share its success with the workers who get the goods moving from customers' virtual shopping carts to their real-world doorsteps.

If Amazon can generate enough wealth to make CEO Jeff Bezos one of the 30 richest people in the world, they can afford to create good jobs, not abandon workers to sweatshop conditions.

Note: Warehouse workers will be available in Seattle for interviews throughout the day Wednesday and Thursday. Contact Sage Wilson of Working Washington to arrange an interview with one of the Amazon warehouse workers.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Sage Wilson, Working Washington: sage@workingwa.org

From sweatshop warehouses to South Lake Union: Amazon workers speak out.

Working Washington May 9, 2012

Amazon’s shiny new campus in South Lake Union shows off the success of the multi-billion dollar corporation. But what happens when customers click through the Amazon website and order something? That’s when thousands of warehouse workers get to work moving products — in conditions a lot less glitzy than you see in South Lake Union. On Thursday, May 10, starting at 12 noon sharp at 410 Terry Ave N, come join us to hear from workers who flew out to Seattle to bring their stories straight to the company’s South Lake Union headquarters.

These workers have stories to tell. Their warehouse is the one that was exposed by investigative journalists for brutal working conditions — including temperatures that soared past 100 degrees in the summer, turning the warehouse into a literal sweatshop. Amazon’s initial response to the problem was to station paramedics outside the warehouse to handle cases of heat stroke.

It wasn’t until the story got out and public pressure mounted that the company put in air conditioning. That’s why we need you to show up. Public pressure on Amazon works and we need to keep it up.

Join us Thursday, May 10 right on the Amazon campus as we hear from the Pennsylvania workers who get the products moving from the computer screen to our front door. Let’s stand with the warehouse workers and tell Amazon to treat all its employees with respect, dignity and decency.

Warehouse workers from Allentown to rally for good jobs at Amazon's corporate headquarters in Seattle

Guest User May 7, 2012

Send-off party for Allentown workers headed to Seattle to bring call for good jobs straight to Amazon executives THIS TUESDAY, workers from Amazon's notorious Allentown warehouse are flying to Seattle to lead a rally at the company's glitzy new headquarters. In Seattle they will bring their message from Amazon's sweatshop warehouses to the company's air-conditioned executive suites: it's time for the giant retailer to deliver good jobs to the 99%.

Community supporters in Pennsylvania are hosting a send-off party to show support for one of these workers to wish her well as she gets ready to take her good jobs message to Amazon's corporate headquarters in Seattle.

When: Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 1:00 pm

Where: Lehigh Valley International Airport, 3311 Airport Road, Allentown

What/Visuals: Send-off party for Karen Salasky, a worker from Amazon's notorious Allentown warehouse. Karen is flying out to Seattle to help lead a rally at the company's corporate headquarters in Seattle, where she will speak out about working conditions at the Allentown warehouse and present a giant copy of a "Warehouse Workers Bill of Rights".

Amazon's Allentown warehouse became notorious last year for brutal working conditions after a landmark article in the Morning Call. When workers collapsed from exhaustion as indoor temperatures rose above 100 degrees and the warehouse became a literal sweatshop, the company's initial response was not to increase ventilation or install air conditioning, but simply to station paramedics outside.

Karen Salasky of Allentown was at the warehouse and saw these conditions — and that's why she's headed to Seattle.

“I’m going to Amazon’s Seattle headquarters," Karen explained, "to tell Amazon the way they treat their warehouse employees isn’t right.”

In Seattle, Karen will take her call for good jobs directly to Amazon's executives, employees, and hometown community. Along with a second former warehouse worker from Allentown, she'll join more than a hundred community supporters in Seattle at Amazon's corporate headquarters. Together, they'll call on the giant retailer to share its success with the workers who get the goods moving from customers' virtual shopping carts to their real-world doorsteps.

If Amazon can generate enough wealth to make CEO Jeff Bezos one of the 30 richest people in the world, they can afford to create good jobs in Allentown, not abandon workers to sweatshop conditions.

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Contact: Sage Wilson, 206-227-6014, sage@workingwa.org