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"the memo proposed that Amazon should create and foster partnerships with local nonprofits and community organizations that company officials hoped would “provi
by beloch 4y ago
"the memo proposed that Amazon should create and foster partnerships with local nonprofits and community organizations that company officials hoped would “provide political cover for local policymakers, neutralize organized labors’ attempts to grow their coalition of third-party validators and spokespeople, and provide a platform for Amazon spokespeople and allies to speak of the true economic and social impact of Amazon in Southern California.”
It's an isolate and destroy campaign. Hiring students and ex-inmates (who will both probably tolerate more exploitation than average employees without speaking up), does not impact Amazon's bottom line nearly as much as unionized workers would. If enough people wind up thinking Amazon provides a net benefit to the communities it operates in then it will help silence those who want unions, tax reforms, or just less corporate welfare.
The teamsters don't look bad so much as they appear to have been badly outplayed by a smart opponent.
- socialistnutjob 4y ago
- adriand 4y agoIt’s also so incredibly cynical. They aren’t supporting these organizations because it’s the right thing to do. It’s just a means to an end, namely preventing workers from organizing. I wonder how many people who called out Amazon’s supposedly enlightened actions as unlikely to be altruistic or genuine were accused of being conspiracy theorists.
- xyzzyz 4y agoIt is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own self-interest. We address ourselves not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities, but of their advantages.
- zugi 4y agoUnexpected Adam Smith - nice! And even apart from questions of economic systems, second-guessing peoples' motives is almost never productive.
- smegger001 4y agoDoes it matter that their motivation is wrong if it still motivates them to do the right thing? results are what mater.
- dendriti 4y agoWell, yes but no. It's good that Amazon is hiring ex-cons and minorities. It's good that Amazon is not testing for weed. None of those things obviate the need for a union.