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Amazon is facing continuous accusations of labor violations, and new allegations seem to arise with each passing week. Many New York residents work in Amazon warehouses, and these workers are all too familiar with such concerns. The new allegations further illustrate the company’s alleged negligence and lack of reasonable care, especially when it comes to their treatment of injuries sustained on the job. But what can you do if you suffer an injury while working at an Amazon warehouse in New York?
Amazon Accused of Numerous Violations at Albany Factory
On August 22, 2023, it was reported that the US National Labor Relations Board had accused Amazon of a number of violations at a factory near Albany. Among other things, they were accused of illegally calling the police to break up labor organizers and preventing employees from even discussing labor organizations. One employee was allegedly fired for becoming an activist for employee rights, and their termination occurred directly before an important vote on unionization.
The Albany factory has been the site of an active debate over unionization. Unlike a Staten Island factory that recently voted to unionize, the Albany factory workers initially rejected an effort to unionize in 2022. However, these new allegations may suggest that Amazon interfered with the employee voting process in a number of different ways, perhaps implying that the employees would have unionized if not for the efforts of the tech giant.
WIRED Investigation Exposes Serious Safety Violations at Albany Warehouse
A few days earlier, on August 16, an investigation by WIRED magazine exposed serious safety violations at Amazon warehouses throughout the nation – including the aforementioned Albany location. The magazine focused on one account from the factory that involved workers being sent back to work with serious injuries. Instead of being referred to doctors, these workers were put back on the assembly line almost immediately after suffering injuries.
This apparently made their conditions worse – and in some cases, it may have led to lifelong disabilities. This allegedly happened to at least six employees at the Albany factory over a six-month period. The investigation exposed many other instances of injured workers being sent back to work – even after legitimate injuries were assessed at on-site first aid clinics.
In response, Amazon has stated that:
“We disagree with the claims in this citation and will continue our long-standing efforts to improve safety at our sites.”
Where Can I Find a Qualified Workers’ Comp Attorney in New York?
If you have been searching for a qualified workers’ comp attorney in New York, look no further than the Glassman Law Group. Over the years, we have helped numerous workers pursue positive outcomes after suffering injuries at New York workplaces. Amazon may be committing various labor and safety violations, but workers still enjoy protections under state and federal law. Reach out today to fight for these rights and pursue compensation for your workplace injuries.