Amazon has responded swiftly to the impromptu strike at its unionized Staten Island warehouse. The firm and staff have confirmed to CNN that about 50 staff had been suspended with pay at JFK8 after they occupied the human assets workplace and refused to work in allegedly unsafe circumstances following a ship dock fireplace. One of the employees, Connor Spence, stated the suspension would proceed whereas Amazon investigated the work stoppage.

We’ve requested Amazon for remark. In a press release to CNN, a spokesperson stated there was a “small fire” in a cardboard compactor, and that it requested evening shift staff (together with these within the protest) to report back to their traditional shifts after firefighters stated the warehouse was secure. The “vast majority” of staff complied, Amazon stated. Day shift group members had been despatched house with pay. 

The suspensions will not assist ease the battle between Amazon and staff at JFK8, the corporate’s solely unionized warehouse. In May, Amazon fired a number of senior managers in a transfer that workers claimed was retaliation for labor group efforts. There’s additionally broader rigidity throughout the corporate. Staff at a number of American warehouses have pushed for unionization (albeit with restricted success), whereas Amazon has been accused of utilizing anti-union techniques.

The affected staffers will not essentially lose their jobs. However, it indicators that Amazon is not eager to tolerate labor disruptions even with a union current.