Amazon Warehouse Staff Exercise Their Right to Protest

Amazon Warehouse Staff Exercise Their Right to Protest
Amazon Warehouse Staff Exercise Their Right to Protest

With Amazon’s far-ranging network of facilities, robust infrastructure and labor force of more than 600,000, it’s not far-fetched to compare the retailing giant to a self-contained country. Amazon has begun using its stature to wield influence among governments both here and abroad.

Continuing the parallel, “citizens” of Amazon are seeking to be heard on topics ranging from warehouse equipment to global warming. What issues are causing employees to raise their voices in protest?

Amazon Becomes a Political Force

Last year, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos enjoyed a private summit with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and it was later announced that Amazon would open a new office in Vancouver employing 3,000 people. In the United States, Amazon caused a frenzy with its search for a city to host its second headquarters.

The “contest” was ultimately won by Washington, D.C. and New York City, although the latter eventually declined. It’s expected that a facility in the nation’s capital will give Amazon a stronghold for increased lobbying as well as efforts to obtain Department of Defense contracts.

Employees Flex Their Muscle

For their part, several Amazon employees are taking an ethical stand against certain products. Workers are joining civil rights groups such as the ACLU in objecting to use of Amazon’s facial recognition software for “authoritarian surveillance.”

In a development that bears watching, some Amazon employees are taking advantage of stock holdings in their compensation packages. As shareholders, they have filed a resolution demanding that Amazon create a plan to deal with climate change.

Warehouse Equipment for All Applications

Your company may not be the size of Amazon, but your employees deserve quality warehouse equipment. Visit our website and chat with our sales engineers about our line of electric tugs, movers and pushers.

Our January Tips to Reduce Costs in Your Warehouse Operation

How Can You Make it More Efficient For Your Warehouse Employees in 2019?
How Can You Make it More Efficient For Your Warehouse Employees in 2019?

Does your warehouse staff finish the year in a scramble to bring expenses in under budget? Our industrial tugs maximize labor and reduce costly injuries to provide savings all year long.

In 2019, resolve to make reducing costs a year-round priority. Implement these measures in January to make financial awareness and expense-cutting part of the workplace culture.

Optimize Storage Space

Expansion is costly and time-consuming, especially today with warehouse space at a premium. Review the warehouse layout and inventory storage system to find wasted space and make changes where necessary.

Institute Cross-Docking

The more time product spends in your warehouse, the faster costs add up. Cross-docking, by which incoming products are immediately loaded onto outbound trucks for delivery, dramatically reduces storage, shipping and labor expenses.

Buy Used Containers

Used containers in good condition are often available at significant savings from reputable vendors. Purchasing used containers is a good practice to demonstrate eco-awareness and green workplace policies.

Reduce Energy Usage

Conscientious energy usage is another way to save money as well as the environment. High-quality building insulation, motion-sensitive lighting systems and hands-free faucets are just a few of the methods to cut back on excessive energy use.

Improve Labor Productivity

Labor is often the single largest element of any company’s operating costs. Hiring and training new workers is expensive and disruptive, so start a plan to improve employee retention. In addition, cross-training makes workers feel more accomplished and ensures that absences or temporary shortages won’t impact productivity.

Industrial Tugs from DJ Products: “Like Adding Another Staff Member”

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