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After Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon was voted the worst boss in the world at the ITUC conference in a May, Stephen DeMatteo, Head of UNI Post and Logistics, and Ingo Marowsky, General-Secretary of the International Transport Workers Federation, spoke to Radio Labour about the importance of an integrated global approach to tackling worker rights at Amazon. 

DeMatteo said, “We got together with ITF to start coordinating our strategy with regards to Amazon. Amazon workers are struggling to have their voices heard. Amazon is growing to be a leader in the field, and we think it is important that unions remain highly involved in industrial relations with the company.”

“Our concern is that due to its status as an industry leader, other companies may seek to emulate Amazon’s business model. We know the world is changing, but workers deserve the right to collective bargaining and freedom of association.” 

“Companies need to continue to engage with the voices of workers. It is hugely important that companies like Amazon are the leaders on these issues, and we are working hard to make sure that this is the case.”

“UNI and ITF have a long tradition of working together, DHL in particular, were going to keep taking on this integrated, global approach to some of these global companies. We need to make sure that unions are supporting each other, and that from the shop floor to the global stage, we are united.”

Ingo Marowsky, General-Secretary of ITF said, “There are two main issues with Amazon - the first is the low pay workers receive. This is a problem we are seeking to rectify through collective bargaining, even though Amazon does not want to sit down and talk to workers.  The second main concern is the status of employment in Amazon as most workers are on temporary contracts, and we feel that this is just not right.”

“Innovation must be underpinned by a productive relationship between management and unions in industrial relations. Develop the industry, but do so by establishing proper industrial relations.”

Hear the full interview here: http://www.radiolabour.net/amazon-160714.htm