Thread by @doctorow

What's stupider than firing the warehouse manager who organized an Amazon warehouse walkout over covid contamination?

pluralistic.net/2020/03/31/rea…

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Writing a memo explaining how you plan to smear that organizer to neutralize your own workers' demands for a safe work environment, assuming, incorrectly, that it won't leak.

(NARRATOR: IT LEAKED)

vice.com/en_us/article/…

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Amazon General Counsel David Zapolsky's leaked memo said that the fired warehouse worker, Christian Smalls was "not smart or articulate" and suggested that the company make him "the face of the entire union/organizing movement."

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Zapolsky's memo set out the company's messaging, that Smalls's leadership of the walkout was immoral, unacceptable, and arguably illegal, in detail, and only then follow with our usual talking points about worker safety."

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Zapolsky told @motherboard that he "was frustrated and upset that an Amazon employee would endanger the health and safety of other Amazonians" and he "was frustrated and upset that an Amazon employee would endanger the health and safety of other Amazonians."

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In Smalls's interview with @jeremyscahill on @intercepted, he describes how he decided to risk his livelihood in the midst of a pandemic to protect his coworkers, who were visibly sick with covid but not given paid leave.

theintercept.com/2020/04/01/ess…

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How all he wanted from the company was a deep clean of the warehouse - as they'd done in other contaminated facilities - and paid leave while their workplace was made safe. Having read Zapolsky's leaked candid remarks and heard Smalls make his case, I know who I believe.

eof/