According to a federal administrative law judge, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has been found to have violated labor law by making certain anti-union comments during a media interview two years ago.
In a 2022 interview, Jassy stated that unions can make workplaces “much slower” and “more bureaucratic.”
The ruling, issued on Wednesday, stems from a 2022 complaint filed by the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that Jassy went too far by implying during an interview that workers were better off without a union.
Judge Brian D. Gee of the National Labor Relations Board highlighted Jassy’s statements made on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” and at two summits sponsored by Bloomberg News and the New York Times in his ruling.
While acknowledging that Jassy’s concerns about how unionization may impact employee-employer relationships are valid, Judge Gee also pointed out that suggesting employees lose power under a union and struggle to make progress without violating labor laws.
Jassy mentioned in unionized workplaces, employees may face challenges in implementing changes to improve work conditions for themselves, their team, or customers.
Amazon spokeswoman Mary Kate Paradis disagreed with the ruling, stating that the company believes the comments made were appropriate. Amazon plans to appeal the decision within the administrative law system.
Paradis expressed optimism about engaging in a rational debate on these issues and ensuring all perspectives are heard, despite the ruling’s implications for free speech rights.
Jassy’s comments have come at a time when unionization efforts at Amazon have been growing, especially following a historic union victory at a New York City warehouse. Amazon has continued to advocate against union involvement and has refused to engage in negotiation talks.
In his ruling, Judge Gee recommended that Amazon refrain from making similar threatening comments to employees in the future and post notices at its facilities nationwide confirming their compliance with the judge’s decision.
Source: www.theguardian.com
