After a bunch of Amazon workers determined to inquire about being paid extra, the response from the corporate was not what they anticipated.
In a TikTok video, a bunch of Amazon staff was filmed displaying up on the warehouse, however as a substitute of assembly with their administration about their inquiry for a pay elevate to match the labor they do for work, they got meals as compensation.
Amazon workers got grilled cheese sandwiches as a substitute of getting a pay elevate.
Within the 20-second clip, an worker who labored for Amazon determined to document the answer administration allegedly got here up with to offer him and his coworkers after they requested about being paid extra.
“Amazon, we wish a elevate,” the worker wrote in overlay textual content. “Amazon: we are able to do one higher.” Within the video, an array of Amazon staff will be seen lining up outdoors as different workers handed out grilled cheese sandwiches on paper plates.
If that wasn’t dangerous sufficient, many viewers identified that the sandwiches do not even look appetizing in any respect, with many TikTok customers accusing Amazon of doing the least to make their workers blissful and prepared to stick with the corporate.
“Worker: Can I’ve a livable wage so I can help my household and pay my payments? Employer: fingers over grilled cheese,” one TikTok consumer wrote, whereas one other consumer added, “I’ve by no means seen such a factor.”
“Yeah that grilled cheese is simply what these staff must, you recognize, pay their mortgages with,” a 3rd consumer chimed in.
Amazon staff beforehand staged a protest in opposition to the corporate after demanding increased wages.
In March 2022, Vice reported that Amazon staff at three completely different warehouses staged protests to demand increased pay and longer breaks. The employees instructed Vice that they had been searching for a $3 hourly enhance to their wages, which vary from $15.75 to $17.25, to maintain up with rising prices of residing.
In whole, over 60 staff walked out throughout all three warehouses, with two positioned in New York Metropolis and one in Maryland.
“I make $16.90 after a yr and a half of working right here,” Linda, an Amazon warehouse employee instructed Vice, including that staff had been demanding a elevate for numerous causes. “To begin with, we’ve got a Nordstrom warehouse throughout the road that begins at $19 an hour.”
“Many people work a number of jobs. Persons are hurting themselves on this job. Their our bodies are breaking down. I’ve a co-worker who fingers out Aleve on daily basis. We received nothing throughout peak, however they doubled our quantity in our warehouse. Possibly we might get a thanks.”
It took seven months earlier than Amazon agreed to boost wages for each warehouse workers and supply drivers. In accordance with CNBC, Amazon’s common beginning pay for front-line workers within the U.S. was mentioned to bump as much as greater than $19 per hour from $18 per hour.
Together with the pay enhance, Amazon mentioned it’s additionally increasing a payday advance program for its workers that permits them to entry as much as 70% of their eligible earned pay each time they select and with out charges.
Nia Tipton is a author residing in Brooklyn. She covers popular culture, social justice points, and trending subjects.
