South Metro Atlanta Amazon workers file federal complaints

Amazon workers in southern metro Atlanta have filed federal complaints against the online shopping giant over workplace safety risks.

Warehouse workers say they are exposed to hazards such as temperatures topping 100 degrees during the peak summer months.

Lawmakers and labor rights advocates, such as United for Respect, joined workers at Amazon’s ATL6 facility in East Point on Wednesday.

Six ATL6 workers have filed federal unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, according to United for Respect.

Darryl Prewitt has worked there for almost five years and said some co-workers even fear losing their jobs because of a water break.

“If you’re not like me and you don’t bring your own water to work, and let’s say I decide to go over there to get some water because I’m thirsty, that’s a problem because you what they call time off. ” said Prewitt.

He said he wants these issues to be resolved without union interference.

“We don’t think it’s necessary to have a union when we have enough power within ourselves and with United to guide us and respect us,” Prewitt said.

“We have people who come to work every day. They are under surveillance. They’re not allowed to take breaks,” said Sandra Lee Williams, president of the Atlanta Labor Council in North Georgia. “Georgia always touts this place as the best for business.”

“You know what? It might be, but it’s not the best for the job,” Williams added. “We need to allow workers to earn a living with dignity and respect.”

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is holding an open inspection at the Amazon site in East Point, Georgia, which opened in mid-July.

“You can ask Bezos if he would work under these conditions. No, he wouldn’t. Would he want to experience what these workers are experiencing? No, he wouldn’t,” said Georgia State House Rep. Dewey McClain.

Eileen Hards, an Amazon spokesperson, wrote in a statement that the company’s top priority is the health and safety of its employees, adding that the rate of recordable injuries is lower than the industry average for a company. the size of Amazon. Hards added that the allegations made in the unfair labor practice charges have no merit.

“In terms of heat-related safety protocols, ours often exceed industry standards, and we are one of the few companies with air conditioning in our distribution centers and airline hubs,” wrote Hards. “This is in addition to industrial fans installed on our ceilings to maintain air circulation, training employees on preventing heat-related illnesses, and encouraging everyone to take cool-down breaks every whenever he needs it. »

Last year, a federal investigation cited the company for failing to ensure the safety of workers at several U.S. warehouses.