'Broken promises': Amazon workers walk out at Bellmawr warehouse, demand changes
Amazon workers walk out in Bellmawr.
BELLMAWR, N.J. - Amazon workers took a stand Wednesday morning as they walked out on the job at a warehouse in South Jersey.
Last month, workers were informed that the Bellmawr warehouse would close and most of them would be transferred to a nearby warehouse in Paulsboro, New Jersey.
However, those workers say they recently learned they will be transferred to farther facilities instead.
A spokesperson for Amazon tells Fox 29 workers will be relocated to multiple sites within the area.
One worker says Amazons' "broken promises" will leave some unable to keep their jobs and "throw lives into disarray."
"Carpools are being broken and workers who can’t drive are scrambling," they said. "They’re giving us schedules that we can’t make work."
Amazon spokesperson Maria Boschetti tells Fox 29: "We regularly look at how we can improve the experience for our employees, partners, drivers and customers, and that includes upgrading our facilities. As part of that effort, we’ll be closing one of our facilities in Bellmawr and offering all employees the opportunity to transfer to five different delivery stations close by. These facilities provide upgraded amenities, including increased on-site parking, larger operational spaces, and better breakrooms with open market vending."
Some believe workplace injuries could increase if experienced workers are unable to keep their jobs.
"Amazon is treating us like we’re warehouse machinery that they can just pack up and move somewhere else," said Paul Blundell, an Amazon associate. "Our years of service through the pandemic and adjusting our lives to accommodate the Megacycle obviously mean nothing to Amazon."
Workers are protesting the sudden decision, and are demanding changes from Amazon:
- Allow all workers to transfer to the Paulsboro warehouse
- Give all workers the options to keep current schedules days, or get days od higher preference
- Provide a $1 an hour raise to cover increased difficulty and expense of transferring to location farther away