Unions demand COVID-19 protections for Amazon warehouse workers

National labor union leaders sent a letter to Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO, April 1 demanding safety improvement for U.S. warehouse workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The group included the AFL-CIO; the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The unions called for the "swift" reinstatement of Chris Smalls, a worker at an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island the company said was terminated for violating social distancing guidelines, including orders to remain home after coming in contact with a coworker who tested positive for COVID-19. However, Smalls alleged he was fired for organizing a protest March 30 over fears of a COVID-19 outbreak at the warehouse. New York Attorney General Letitia James is calling on the National Labor Relations Board to investigate Amazon's actions. Union leaders said unsafe working conditions persist and "the actual situation in warehouses does not match Amazon's public relations statements." They called for the temporary closure of Amazon warehouses in the U.S. and full pay for workers until safety is improved. The unions also called for full compensation for workers who cannot return to work due to an ill family member or the need to self-quarantine, and a public statement from Amazon listing improved protocols for worker safety.