We’re pushing back on Amazon’s illegal intimidation and we need your help

In June, our co-workers took the brave step of publicly testifying in front of Seattle City Council to call for regulations on data centers and AI that would ensure the community and workers benefit. Amazon told reporters covering the story that “we respect our colleagues’ right to voice their opinions.”  

But that wasn’t true. Just a week later, the workers who spoke were called into private meetings with Employee Relations, in which they were repeatedly asked questions about their testimony and threatened with an investigation.  

Amazon’s retaliation is illegal. Seattle law clearly allows employees to voice their political opinions without facing retaliation. But to anyone paying attention, this dynamic is also familiar.  Amazon and other tech companies claim to believe in democracy and to support regulations that would ensure the American public accrues the benefits of AI….yet behind closed doors, they frequently push for the opposite. They hide behind shell companies so that community members don’t know who is buying up land in their towns. They NDA crucial information, like how much water their projects will use. Our own leaders are planning for a future where they and the AIs they create call all the shots.

That hypocrisy is on them, but we don’t have to accept it or be afraid. We have reported Amazon to the  City of Seattle for illegal intimidation.

If you believe in the democratic process, please join our fight to ensure companies like Amazon can’t get away with silencing us. We become more powerful with every single person that joins.