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Originally Posted by petrucci
I can certainly understand the sentiment that has been expressed regarding work ethic and working conditions. However, I believe that the outrage at Amazon and other such employers relates to inequities in working conditions and in pay. It is ironic that the jobs that have some of the worst working conditions also have low pay. Things like garbage collection and fast food come to mind. If we truly had a free market economy these undesirable jobs would have to be better paid or no one would do them. This was actually coming to pass in the USA, but the government quickly imported people from other countries who were willing to do the work for less. A surplus of workers is certainly what the companies desire.
In Amazon's case, the outrage also lies in the fact that it is a large company, and could, if it so wished, make the working conditions better. The warehouses could be cooled, and design changes could save the workers from walking long distances. Amazon could also pay the workers more. None of these things are done, and it smacks of greed.
Lastly, some companies make money off of discoveries, inventions, etc. Others make their fortunes off of the backs of poorly paid workers. People generally dislike this. It is a race to the bottom to see who can pay their workers the least.
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I am not quite understanding what you are saying. Does Amazon pay significantly less than the national average for unskilled jobs? Are the majority of warehouses cooled? Is walking long distances considered a hardship condition?
Of course Amazon could pay the workers more and raise the prices they sell goods at. Not saying they shouldn't but a 10% wage increase for the majority of their employees would possibly mean a 25% hike in prices. Customers have historically resisted this kind of measure by buying elsewhere. Halving the wages of the upper management might make some people happy but not likely to amount to enough raise the wages of the lower echelons by more then a dime or so if that much.
I think Amazon pays more than most large retail companies for unskilled labour positions, but I can only judge by what large retail companies pay in Canada which is rarely above $11.00 and generally only that high if minimum wage is that high with no benefits. And many US based companies in Canada go through hoops to pay less and hire, then fire employees when they are in danger of having to pay benefits. Or only hire part time employees because they aren't eligible for benefits. I haven't heard of Amazon doing this but perhaps you have proof that they do?
I rarely buy from Amazon but I don't hold their size against them or think that they should pay people more because they are bigger. It seems to me they have a reasonable starting wage and that there is some chance for advancement and bonuses etc. if one performs well unlike most large companies, but maybe not.
Helen