Download - Amazon Contractors Sue for Overtime Pay
AMAZON CONTRACTORS SUE FOR OVERTIME PAYBY: JOE ELY
SITUATION
• Amazon.com has been sued by Illinois delivery drivers, who were contracted through Silverstar, for failing to pay them overtime for hauling its goods.
• One of the drivers maintains that Amazon was so involved with his day-to-day work that it would be a “joint employer” and would be liable for violations under state and federal law.
• The lawsuit is targeting the contracting company as well as Amazon.• Drivers in California and Washington have also brought wage-and-hour
lawsuits naming Amazon in those cases.
AMAZON’S RESPONSE
• “The small and medium-sized businesses tht partner with Amazon logistics have their own employees and are required to abide by applicable laws and Amazon’s Supplier Code of Conduct.”
• “We investigate any claim that a provider isn’t complying with these obligations.”
LABOR ADVOCATES’ VIEWS ON AMAZON
• Maintain the Amazon is much more involved in their relationships with contracted workers.
• From the workers’ attorney:• “The trainings were done by Amazon personnel, the daily assignments
were given out by Amazon personnel, Amazon personnel tracked the routes taken by the drivers, they wore Amazon logos.”
• ”If there was a problem with package delivery, they went to Amazon. They didn’t go to Silverstar.”
MY THOUGHTS
• A good case has been made by how involved Amazon is in the day-to-day work of contractors. This is far from the only lawsuit against Amazon when it comes to paying contractors.
• Due to the facts presented I believe Amazon owes these workers their overtime pay.
QUESTIONS
•Do these delivery drivers work for Amazon?•Does Amazon owe these workers?
CITATIONS
• http://www.chicagotribune.com/bluesky/technology/ct-amazon-delivery-drivers-lawsuit-20161103-story.html• (Searched article)
• http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-03/who-s-the-boss-amazon-contractors-sue-to-find-out
• (Original article)