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Paying you more than the absolute minimum is not in the interests of our Customers, Shareholders, Associates, Shareholders and our Shareholders.

bootsmann 3y ago
Amazon actually pays significantly above the minimum wage, this frequently leads to complaints by businesses located near their plants that they have to hike their pay in response to still get workers. NYT did a nice article on this two years ago: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/05/business/economy/amazon-wage-effect.html https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/05/business/economy/amazon-w...
- tyingq 3y ago
  That's true, but I don't think it's altruism. Working conditions that incent people to urinate in a bottle to avoid being marked as slow...tend to mean higher wages are needed to close that deal. Higher being relative, of course. I know from a historical perspective that warehouse work in the 1980's, after a couple of years, was enough to pay for a modest apartment and car, etc. It's not now.
  - olalonde 3y ago
    > That's true, but I don't think it's altruism. It's almost as if we already have a good system for discovering prices and wages.
- Cthulhu_ 3y ago
  Competition for employees? In my capitalism?
- throwaway2037 3y ago
  Leaving aside Amazon's appalling labour record, I do think this is a brilliant strategy to lure away the highest quality workers from nearby factories and warehouses. I am sure it is part of their decision making when deciding where to build a new warehouse.
- HDThoreaun 3y ago
  No one said Amazon is paying the minimum wage though. They're working to pay the absolute minimum while still having adequate staffing.
GolfPopper 3y ago
It all reminds me of the TTRPG Paranoia: "SERVE THE COMPUTER. THE COMPUTER IS YOUR FRIEND! The Computer wants you to be happy. II you are not happy, you may be used as reactor shielding. The Computer is crazy. The Computer is happy. The Computer will help you become happy. This will drive you crazy. Being a citizen of Alpha Complex is fun. The Computer says so, and The Computer is your friend. Rooting out traitors will make you happy. The Computer tells you so. Can you doubt The Computer?"

bootsmann 3y ago

Amazon actually pays significantly above the minimum wage, this frequently leads to complaints by businesses located near their plants that they have to hike their pay in response to still get workers. NYT did a nice article on this two years ago: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/05/business/economy/amazon-wage-effect.html https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/05/business/economy/amazon-w...

tyingq 3y ago
That's true, but I don't think it's altruism. Working conditions that incent people to urinate in a bottle to avoid being marked as slow...tend to mean higher wages are needed to close that deal. Higher being relative, of course. I know from a historical perspective that warehouse work in the 1980's, after a couple of years, was enough to pay for a modest apartment and car, etc. It's not now.
- olalonde 3y ago
  > That's true, but I don't think it's altruism. It's almost as if we already have a good system for discovering prices and wages.
Cthulhu_ 3y ago
Competition for employees? In my capitalism?
throwaway2037 3y ago
Leaving aside Amazon's appalling labour record, I do think this is a brilliant strategy to lure away the highest quality workers from nearby factories and warehouses. I am sure it is part of their decision making when deciding where to build a new warehouse.
HDThoreaun 3y ago
No one said Amazon is paying the minimum wage though. They're working to pay the absolute minimum while still having adequate staffing.

GolfPopper 3y ago

It all reminds me of the TTRPG Paranoia: "SERVE THE COMPUTER. THE COMPUTER IS YOUR FRIEND! The Computer wants you to be happy. II you are not happy, you may be used as reactor shielding. The Computer is crazy. The Computer is happy. The Computer will help you become happy. This will drive you crazy. Being a citizen of Alpha Complex is fun. The Computer says so, and The Computer is your friend. Rooting out traitors will make you happy. The Computer tells you so. Can you doubt The Computer?"