| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 21, 2000 |
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Amazon.com Workers Standing Up for a Voice on the Job Amazon.com workers don't feel like they are leading our nation's information revolution. They feel like they work for the company of the future, but face yesterday's wages and working conditions. Amazon.com distribution center workers are looking for a better future and the nation's largest private-sector union is giving them the opportunity to make Amazon.com a better place to work. The 1.4-million member United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) has launched an organizing program with the distribution center workers. UFCW organizers have handbilled every major Amazon.com distribution center and given workers union authorization cards. Response to the union drive has been extremely positive with workers in almost every location signing cards and volunteering to support and assist with the UFCW campaign. Amazon.com workers are frustrated with low wages, lack of advancement opportunities and poor treatment. They know that with a voice on the job with a union, workers will have a say over compensation levels, seniority, job security and handling problems through a fair process. Falling stock prices have left workers with little retirement security since the company compensates workers with stock options rather than secure pensions and benefits. "Amazon.com's retort that its employees are owners rings hollow with worker," said Gary Sauter, UFCW Executive Vice President and Organizing Director. The UFCW is cooperating with the Communications Workers of America's efforts to organize the customer service representatives at Amazon.com Workers turned to the UFCW because of its track record organizing other ".com" companies like Peapod.com and Albertson.com and other book stores like Borders. -30- |
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