New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez joined her co-parties in criticizing Amazon’s allegedly poor working conditions, a move that prompted the internet-based company to slam some of the most liberal figures in the country.
Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a Tweet, “A loved one of mine worked Amazon delivery last year & left because that’s how dangerous it felt to them.” The Democratic representative added that the company “puts so much performance pressure on their workers that defecating in bags is a common enough occurrence that there are internal memos about it.”
A loved one of mine worked Amazon delivery last year & left because that’s how dangerous it felt to them working for a company that also puts so much performance pressure on their workers that defecating in bags is a common enough occurrence that there are internal memos about it https://t.co/SPE21kIFDY
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 30, 2021
The comments made by Ocasio-Cortez were in response to the comments made by Jay Carney, current Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Affairs at Amazon, who denied remarks made by Sanders.
Previously, Sanders claimed that “Amazon workers in Alabama are sick and tired of being treated like robots.”
In Amazon’s defense, Carney answered, “With all due respect, Senator [Bernie Sanders], you’re wrong on this. We treat our employees with dignity and respect. We offer a $15 min wage, health care from day one, and a safe, inclusive workplace.”
The detailed comments made by Amazon officials started after Sanders announced last week that he would be visiting an Alabama Amazon warehouse to encourage unionization.
All we want to know is why the Sen is one of the most powerful pols in VT for 30+ yrs and their min wage is STILL only $11.75.AMZN’s min wage is $15 + great health care from Day 1.The Sen should save his finger wagging lecture until after he actually delivers in his own backyard. https://t.co/dRo2Tv1xDQ
— Dave Clark (@davehclark) March 25, 2021
Sanders wrote on Twitter, “All I want to know is why the richest man in the world, Jeff Bezos, is spending millions trying to prevent workers from organizing a union so they can negotiate for better wages, benefits and working conditions.”
Meanwhile, Amazon CEO Dave Clark clapped back at Sanders and Twitted, “All we want to know is why the [Senator] is one of the most powerful [politicians] in VT for 30+ yrs, and their min wage is STILL only $11.75. AMZN’s min wage is $15 + great health care from Day 1.” Clark added, “The Sen should save his finger-wagging lecture until after he actually delivers in his own backyard.”
Another Democrat went after Amazon, as Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) claimed without evidence that Amazon “exploit loopholes and tax havens to pay close to nothing in taxes.”
However, the company again responded in series of tweets calling out the Senator to “just follow” the law.
Amazon retorted in part, “If you don’t like the laws you’ve created, by all means, change them. Here are the facts: Amazon has paid billions of dollars in corporate taxes over the past few years alone.”
"If you don’t like the laws you’ve created, by all means, go ahead and try to change them while we and other corporations spend billions to bribe politicians into opposing literally any tax increases." https://t.co/B4oLDYf1Ky
— John Iadarola (@johniadarola) March 26, 2021
Meanwhile, Amazon leaders were reportedly asked to fight back after Senators Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren criticized the company’s business practices on Twitter.
According to the technology news website, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos was reportedly displeased that Amazon officials were not more aggressive in opposing the Democratic senators’ criticism that Bezos and other top officials claimed to be inaccurate or misleading.
Amazon executive Dave Clark also tweeted, “I welcome @SenSanders to Birmingham and appreciate his push for a progressive workplace.” Clark added, “I often say we are the Bernie Sanders of employers, but that’s not quite right because we actually deliver a progressive workplace.”
1/2 You don’t really believe the peeing in bottles thing, do you? If that were true, nobody would work for us. The truth is that we have over a million incredible employees around the world who are proud of what they do, and have great wages and health care from day one.
— Amazon News (@amazonnews) March 25, 2021
The Amazon account on Twitter also denounced accusations that employees urinated in water bottles because they did not have enough time to use the restroom.
Amazon responded, “You don’t really believe the peeing in bottles thing, do you? If that were true, nobody would work for us. The truth is that we have over a million incredible employees around the world who are proud of what they do and have great wages and health care from day one.”
