More than two dozen Amazon employees claim the company did not properly respond to racist death threats against black workers at its MDW2 facility in Joliet, Illinois, and retaliated against an employee who, according to a report, Chicago Tribune (Via Engadget26 employees have reportedly filed complaints with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
In late May, activists said they found messages reading “[n-word]gonna die” and “Fuck In” [n-words] According to the advocacy group Warehouse Workers for Justice, bathrooms in the facility are written on the walls. A day or two later, according to a report from a local outlet herald-newsEmployees learned that someone anonymously called the facility with threats against Black workers.
Workers say the extras also made the workplace feel hostile. according to TribuneThe workers claim that Amazon allowed employees to wear clothes decorated with the Confederate flag, which the Anti-Defamation League classifies as a symbol of hatred. herald-newsThe story also cites Marcos Seniseros, executive director of Warehouse Workers for Justice, who said that MDW2 recently had graffiti of swastikas and anti-Semitic messages.
Warehouse Workers for Justice says that after the threats, Amazon told employees they could have voluntary leave if they felt uncomfortable coming to work. As Tory Davis, a former employee, points out, however, it’s not a real option for workers who need the income. talking to TribuneShe said: “We had to choose whether to stay and earn money and be able to pay our bills first, or whether we would go home and be safe.”
Davis alleges that Amazon fired him after threatening to take legal action if the company didn’t take steps to protect him and his coworkers. Tribune, Amazon spokesman Richard Rocha said Tribune That the company “works hard to protect our employees from discrimination of any kind and to provide an environment where employees feel safe.” However, Rocha did not respond to the outlet’s requests for comment about Davis’ allegations or why he was fired, nor did the company immediately respond. ledgeComment request.
Amazon isn’t the only company facing allegations that it failed to stop racism at some of its facilities. Tesla has faced several lawsuits from employees regarding its factory in Fremont, California, and has reportedly paid millions in settlements related to racial discrimination at the plant. The automaker is being investigated by the EEOC.