Friend,

Amazon has just announced plans to hire a staggering 125,000 more workers, mostly in warehouses.(1)

And depending on Governor Gavin Newsom’s actions over the next few weeks, the new employees in California could be protected from Amazon’s harsh working conditions -- or they can join the hundreds of thousands of people who are subjected to injurious quotas and “megacycle” 11-hour shifts.

Courage California’s members were instrumental in passing AB 701, the historic warehouse worker protection bill. But Gov. Newsom has until October 10 to sign it. We need to put grassroots pressure on to make sure AB701 becomes law.

Will you chip in $5 to Courage California and help stop Amazon’s terrible warehouse practices?

Amazon is planning to open 100 new warehouses in September alone.(2)

The megaretailer is touting pay rates averaging $18 an hour, but is completely ignoring the worker conditions that have contributed to some of the worst injury rates in the industry.

Members of Congress have asked the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to investigate.(3) The senators have cited Amazon’s inadequate accommodations for pregnant employees, quotas that lead to workplace injuries, and constant performance monitoring.(4)

And Amazon has summarily crushed any attempt for workers to form a collective and protect themselves. The National Labor Relations Board just released a report on the union vote in Alabama earlier in the year, saying that the vote was unfair and should be held again.(5)

That’s why Courage California has joined LAANE, the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, to support union efforts and pressure the state legislature to outlaw the working conditions Amazon is subjecting their employees to. Now we’re calling on Governor Newsom to sign AB 701 -- the nation's first bill reining in brutal warehouse workplace practices -- into law and protect California’s warehouse workers. Once signed into law, this bill would hold Amazon accountable and set a new national standard as a blueprint for how other states protect warehouse workers.

Will you donate to Courage California today?

Yours in the fight against corporate abuses,

Irene, along with Angela, Annie, Caitlin, Isidra, Jay, Lindsay, LisaMarie, Raquel, and Scottie (the Courage team)

PS: Courage California is fighting for equity and justice across the state and country. Will you become a monthly donor and help sustain our work?

Donations go to support all of Courage California's work for a more progressive California and country. Follow us now on Facebook or Twitter!

Footnotes:
1. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/14/amazon-to-hire-125000-employees-averaging-18-an-hour.html
2. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/14/amazon-to-hire-125000-employees-averaging-18-an-hour.html
3. https://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazons-warehouse-rules-lead-lawmakers-to-press-for-worker-protections/
4. https://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazons-warehouse-rules-lead-lawmakers-to-press-for-worker-protections/
5. https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/2/22598004/nlrb-officer-new-election-amazon-bessemer-union-drive