Amazon Settles with Activist Employees over Wrongful Termination Claims
Back in 2021, tech giants Amazon faced controversy when they let go of two high-profile employees, Emily Cunningham and Maren Costa, due to their activism concerning climate change and workplace conditions. The duo spearheaded the Amazon Employees for Climate Justice group and were critical of Amazon's response during the pandemic. Amazon claimed that the employees repeatedly violated internal policies as a justification for their dismissal.
The local arm of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, operating in the U.S. state of Washington, filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) claiming that Amazon had breached labor laws in the process of laying off the employees. Following a thorough investigation, the NLRB declared the accusations valid and filed a lawsuit. This week, an NLRB administrative judge is set to preside over a hearing regarding the lawsuit.
Interestingly, both Amazon and the UFCW stated that the settlement does not include any formal admissions of liability. In a joint statement on Wednesday, Cunningham and Costa asserted that their agreement marked a victory for employee rights, urging others to stand together in the pursuit of justice and a better world.
According to the agreement, Amazon will be required to compensate for the unpaid wages of affected employees and send out notices to all tech and warehouse personnel across the nation, ensuring that they are aware of their rights — especially regarding organizing and exercising their prerogatives. Amazon did not comment on their stance, however. Instead, a spokesperson confirmed the settlement's reconciliation and applauded the resolution of this legal matter.
It is worth noting that over 90% of "unfair labor practice" cases are resolved through negotiations, as per the NLRB's data.
This resolution comes as Amazon continues to grapple with various labor disputes and unionization efforts across the globe.
