Amazon’s success through the pandemic led to some major expansion plans around the country, including in Nebraska. Unfortunately, they’ve not followed through very well.
Here are Five Fast Facts about Amazon’s Nebraska fumble:
- 😲What happened? Around 140 workers at the Papillion distribution center are still waiting on a Paycheck for work done in August. Some of those workers moved away from their homes and families for months in order to work there. Say what now?!
- 💰How Bad Is It? The union for those workers claims Amazon owes roughly half a million dollars in back pay. Maybe the union can send some (ahem) collectors to Seattle…?
- 😶What Are They Saying? Amazon (and its subcontractors) aren’t saying anything about it to the workers, the union, or the press. Hard to know if that makes it worse or…uh, well, yeah, that makes it worse.
- 🤬Symptom Of A Bigger Problem? The completion of the expansion itself has also been delayed. Amazon claims “supply chain issues” are the problem, but there are other reports of Amazon pulling back from expansions all over the country. Doesn’t exactly give you warm fuzzies for rebounding well, does it?
- 📝What’s The Strategy Now? The union has filed numerous liens with the county, hoping to block any sale of the property until workers are paid what they’re owed. (And they’re also considering some flights to Seattle…)
🔥Bottom line: This is just not right. If market conditions change and you can’t finish the expansion, fine. That’s how it goes sometimes. But to not pay these workers what they are owed for services already provided is absolutely inexcusable and downright disgraceful! It’s not like Amazon made $470 BILLION last year or anything. The half million owed to these workers isn’t even a blip on the typo register for a company that big! Come on, Amazon, do the right thing!
Do you know anyone who got jilted by Amazon on this?
Guess what? The President doesn't really impact local facilities like Amazon's...but your local & state government reps do! Here’s three small things you can do that make a BIG impact:
