Amazon truck cabs are observed out of doors a broken Amazon Distribution Middle on December 11, 2021 in Edwardsville, Illinois. In line with experiences, the Distribution Middle was once struck by means of a twister Friday evening.
Michael B. Thomas | Getty Pictures
The Area Oversight Committee on Friday introduced an investigation into Amazon’s hard work practices, challenging the corporate flip over data associated with a perilous warehouse cave in in Illinois remaining yr.
In a Thursday letter addressed to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Oversight’s chairwoman, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., and Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Cori Bush, D-Mo., wrote that they’re “involved by means of fresh experiences that Amazon is also striking the well being and protection of its employees in peril, together with by means of requiring them to paintings in unhealthy prerequisites right through tornadoes, hurricanes, and different excessive climate.”
The lawmakers asked paperwork associated with Amazon’s dealing with of a sad warehouse cave in at probably the most corporate’s amenities in Edwardsville, Illinois. Ultimate December, a twister ripped throughout the warehouse, referred to as DLI4, inflicting the 1.1 million-square-foot facility’s roof to cave in, whilst 40-foot-tall, 11-inch thick partitions at the aspects of the construction fell inward.
Six employees have been killed. Most of the sufferers have been supply drivers, who pulled into the ability simply earlier than the hurricane hit and frantically fled to a rest room in a space of the construction that was once hit by means of the hurricane.
Within the aftermath of the tragedy, Amazon employees close to the Edwardsville facility advised CNBC they felt the corporate had insufficient protection protocols for serious climate occasions.
DLI4 staff additionally alleged that they have been “threatened by means of their supervisors with termination or different adversarial employment penalties” in the event that they left their place of work to hunt refuge, the lawmakers wrote. Probably the most sufferers, Larry Virden, reportedly texted his female friend, “Amazon may not allow us to depart,” in step with the New York Publish.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel prior to now stated the corporate was once having a look into “each and every side” of the incident.
Along with the Edwardsville tragedy, the lawmakers stated they have been additionally stricken by means of Amazon’s reaction to different excessive climate occasions impacting warehouse employees. They pointed to a deadly heatwave remaining yr within the Pacific Northwest, right through which staff claimed they toiled in warehouses that reached 90 levels. The lawmakers stated Jassy should reply by means of April 14.
“This investigation will tell legislative efforts to curb unfair hard work practices, fortify protections for staff, and deal with the consequences of local weather exchange on employee protection,” the lawmakers wrote.
Nantel advised CNBC in a remark Friday: “Our focal point remains to be on supporting our staff and companions, the households who misplaced family members, the encompassing neighborhood, and all the ones suffering from the tornadoes. We will be able to reply to this letter sooner or later.”
WATCH: Six Amazon staff lifeless after twister hits Illinois warehouse
