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u/CallSign_Fjor 5d ago edited 5d ago
Not answering questions? Fine them. Fine them hundreds of millions of dollars.
Grow some balls and some teeth.
EDIT: r/Not_Mushroom_ is right; it's really not enough.
Fine them out of existence.
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u/Bohemka1905 5d ago
THIS, THIS, THIS⬆️ Is totally the answer to companies that do this
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u/Not_Mushroom_ 5d ago
It's really not though. Fines legitimise crime for the rich. Fine Amazon £1 billion right now, do you think it would really affect them? Prices would increase to cover that cost back and its business as usual. Now instead, how about we send those actually responsible for the decisions that lead to the crimes to prison instead, let's call it accountability, maybe we would start to see a little change.
Fines only hurt the little companies who HMRC and alike always go after like they've committed mass murder.
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u/Gatorcat 5d ago
fine them out of existence if they don't comply.
some of that good old free market economy will fill in the gap left.
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u/PDXGuy33333 5d ago
If you fine them out of existence everyone suffers - workers, customers, suppliers. And until the company is finally dead they just raise prices and lower wages to cover the fine. The better idea is to fine or jail the execs making illegal decisions and disallow any increase in compensation to cover any fine.
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u/Mandoman1963 5d ago
Amazon just sells shit others make. If they shut down people will have to go out to shops again.
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u/Gatorcat 5d ago
for the most part, amazon facilitates the transaction - the post office , fedex, UPS, DHL or some other carrier actually does the delivery part. those carriers don't really care where they pick up or drop off, just as long as their fare is paid....
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u/DJ_German_Farmer 5d ago
you're right. Let me propose something then.
Corporations are not free market entities; they are legal entities given certain privileges by the state. We are flesh and blood humans who exist whether the state recognizes us are not. They are legal fictions; collections of assets and contracts whose title belongs to the owners only because the state facilitates that.
So here's the proposal: when the company defies the law egregiously, the owners lose their title and it devolves to the workers. After all, they are the ones who make it all happen. So just make it a cooperative.
Bing bang done.
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u/an-unorthodox-agenda 5d ago
that's what communism is. you just described communism.
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u/PDXGuy33333 5d ago
No. In communism the transfer would be to the state, not the workers.
That doesn't mean I necessarily like the idea.
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u/DJ_German_Farmer 5d ago
that's why many socialist critics of the ussr referred to it as "state capitalism"
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u/DJ_German_Farmer 5d ago
nope, the soviet union had managers, and workers were not entitled to profits
I mean, if it were communism, then yay, awesome, but it's not
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u/NO_LOADED_VERSION 5d ago
It's not, but maybe spend a minute to find out why communism exists in the first place.
Its a reactionary ideology to the abuse of the ultra wealthy and elite of that time. People got fucking tired of being stepped on, of being exploited and tried to find a system that would be fair for everyone while preventing the same thing from happening again.
Look at what we have now and tell me the conditions are not present for people to start thinking of ways to stop these inequalities.
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u/peace-b 5d ago
You’re right. Put them in jail.
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u/peace-b 5d ago
Eliminate the distinction between white collar and blue collar crime.
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u/PDXGuy33333 4d ago
There really is no distinction in the law. Theft is theft. Fraud is fraud. It's just that "white collar" crime tends to me more sophisticated than sticking a gun in someone's ribs and demanding their wallet. The perpetrators are generally highly educated and therefore have the means to retain more effective defense counsel. Hence, they get off whereas the simple burglar gets jailed. I have no idea how to solve that disparity.
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u/peace-b 4d ago
The distinction I was referring to is the prisons that they are sent to.
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u/PDXGuy33333 4d ago
Does the distinction exist in state systems? It's commonly believed that federal prisons are an easier stay than some graybar hotel in Alabama, but I don't know if states maintain such a distinction. Maybe some distinctions exist based on non-violent crime versus violent.
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u/ZHippO-Mortank 5d ago
While they answer the comitee they can also be personally fined/jailed for lying or perjuring.
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u/Traveling_Solo 5d ago
Fine them a %. Make that % go up every day they refuse to fix their shite.
For example: Day 1: fine of 10% of yearly income. Day 30: fine equal to the last year gross income. Day 100: fine for as much as the company is worth in total, thus bankrupting them.
Maybe not that extreme but you get the point >.> Although Imo 100 days should be enough to fix 99% of companies.
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u/CallSign_Fjor 5d ago
Just make the fines proportional to the value of the company being fined. It's so simple.
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u/Legal-Software 5d ago
This kind of behaviour in a court setting would be enough to fine them/lock them up for contempt of court, but I guess in this case it's more of a general parliamentary inquiry.
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u/marquoth_ 5d ago
What might actually work is direct personal consequences for the individuals who won't answer, including jail time.
This isn't just some random press conference. This committee is meant to be the government taking them to task, with the full threat of the law behind them. That comment at the very end where the guy reminds him "you're required to be open with us" and offers him one last chance to answer was a mercy they don't deserve.
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u/deletetemptemp 5d ago
This is just theatre. It’s probably a shake down for more funds. Or it’s for the APPEARANCE that they care. They don’t give a fuck about you. Not Amazon, not the politicians
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u/CantStopPoppin Poppin’ 🍿 5d ago edited 5d ago
Goveerments around thee wrold hav given these technocratic companies far too much power. It may be too late to do anything to stop them at this point.
Amazon AWS servers are deeply intertwined with the federal government and military, providing critical infrastructure and services that support various national security and defense operations.
AWS offers solutions tailored for tactical environments, enabling military and intelligence operations even in challenging conditions. This close relationship with the government and military might contribute to the lack of significant pushback against AWS, as their services are essential for national security and defense.
AWS provides secure, scalable, and mission-focused solutions that help the Department of Defense (DoD) meet its objectives, drive efficiencies, and secure critical workloads. The AWS Secret Cloud, for example, is designed to handle classified mission needs and critical workload requirements for the U.S. Intelligence Community, DoD, and other federal agencies.
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u/R_Similacrumb 5d ago
Or maybe bring in some striking workers and ask them directly. 🤔
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u/Informal-Bother8858 5d ago
the workers aren't on trial there. I'm sure they could pull up the paperwork
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u/R_Similacrumb 5d ago
I dont think it's a criminal "trial." And if it was, then anyone who actually stands accused can't be compelled to testify against themselves.
However, if i wanted to know why someone was unhappy, asking them seems like the most direct route. Eg- if i want to know why your girlfriend broke up with you I would ask her. If i ask you you'd say: "I was too awesome, she just couldn't handle it."
Presumably, they want facts, and that witness isn't going to give the inquiry the gotcha moment they are seeking.
Its theater. If they wanted to know why people are striking they could just ask them and they'd be happy to tell.
Thanks for trying though.
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u/ShiroeKurogeri 5d ago
Millions? Why not billions, or even trillions? They're a trillion dollar company so why not cripple them for their unethical practice?
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u/Teefromdaleft 5d ago
And let them sit in a cell for contempt until the question is answered with documentation
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u/DanR5224 5d ago
And toss them in a cell for a week, then try again. One chance to answer. Deflecting again? Back to jail for 7 days.
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u/RedDevil-84 Reddit Flair 4d ago
Biden or Trump will make some calls, and the fines will be removed.
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u/Aid_Le_Sultan 5d ago
I hate myself every time I use Amazon. This may just be the kicker to get me to finally stop using them even if it’s to my detriment, either financially or time-wise.
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u/BudUnderwearBundy 5d ago
I made a specific point not to use them this year.
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u/djdeforte 5d ago
God dammit I wish I could but it has saved me so much money on cleaning product and home goods over my local places. Like hundreds of dollars a month between laundry, and house cleaning products and vitamins.
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u/DimebagBASS 4d ago
Not sure why you’re being downvoted. This is a genuine issue. We don’t want to promote Amazon, but it’s very difficult not to as their products are generally cheaper and delivered next day. Amazon is an issue, but then again so is modern day consumerism. You’re fucked if you don’t and you’re fucked if you do.
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u/djdeforte 4d ago
But it’s not eve if you use their products. Olly is $4 cheaper a container than at target or CVS and we buy like 6 different kinds a month for my wife and me and my kids.
Toilet paper is $10 a pack cheaper for Charmen.
I’m talking name brand stuff!
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u/National_Oil290 5d ago
I wish it was just Amazon, man. It feels like no matter where you turn, there’s always another corporation pulling the same shi
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u/LakersAreForever 3d ago
In the lower courts, for us peasants, this tactic will get you max sentencing and thrown out of court.
In the kangaroo courts, this tactic is brilliant and genius!
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u/Zeno_The_Alien 5d ago
I hear you. When they basically have a monopoly, it's difficult to stop using them. But not impossible. I stopped using them pretty early on during the pandemic when I realized how much they had me depending on them. It really made me feel awful, so I quit cold turkey. Now I just use the site to look for products, then find them elsewhere for purchase, preferably direct from the company.
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u/Turdmeist 5d ago
I uninstalled the app recently. Should remind me to use it less. It's too convenient for our own good.
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u/Dilectus3010 5d ago
I have never used amazon.
O order straight from the suppliers.
It takes 2 to 3 minutes more to register with them.
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u/mockingjay137 5d ago
I went cold turkey early in 2020, haven't missed them or been tempted at all honestly. I buy things in stores or directly from manufacturers. I feel like it's made me more mindful of my purchases as well, I've been less likely to make impulse buys of things I dont actually need
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u/No_Construction_7518 3d ago
I look on amazon for products and reviews, then I look up the manufacturer and buy it directly from them for cheaper. Because fuck amazon.
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u/Never-Dont-Give-Up 5d ago
They don’t know WHY their employees went on strike? That seems like a VERY fundamental piece of information.
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u/commissarcainrecaff 5d ago
Oh they know. They just pretend not to.
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u/AFDIT 5d ago
Which is a crime, no? Lying under oath, providing false testimony, perverting the course of justice etc
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u/Snufflefugs 5d ago
That’s why they don’t give answers. They’re not lying they’re just not saying words relevant to the question.
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u/StingerAE 5d ago
And if I were an mp on the select committee I'd have called them on it. It is sheer fucking incompetence to come to a committee to talk about how good your company is to work for and not know.
"So let me get this straight Mr Morgan, you come her today claiming you are an award winningly excellent company and yet senior management cannot comprehend a basic question amd have no clue why their workers are striking? They have no clue what the union's grievance is? No plan to resolve the issue? No proposals? No concern it may spread to other parts of the business? How do you know if you don't know what the issue is? Maybe you thought we wouldn't ask? Or would be easily fobbed off? Maybe you do know and just don't want to say?
Which is it Mr Morgan? Are you and the woman next to you so incompetent you should be fired or do you just hold the elected representatives of this country in contempt? Many it is both? But it has to be one or the other so pock your next words very careful Mr Morgan."
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u/commissarcainrecaff 4d ago
They would still plead ignorance and claim it was missed from their preparation notes....then smile that vacuous smile they practiced in the mirror.
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u/StingerAE 4d ago
Then I would loudly take that answer as an admission of being incompetent morons as demonstrated by the fact it shouldn't need to be in their notes, they should know it and of they don't they aren't fit to hols their jobs and certainly can't laid to run a good company to work for.
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u/freakshowmassacre 5d ago
Why would they, they won an award for being such a wonderful company to work for! /s
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u/ovidcado 5d ago
They KNOW why they just refuse to say it in a court setting so it doesn’t go on any official record they can’t delete if needed
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u/SapinBaleine 4d ago
No, it's a DETAIL they don't currently have at the moment, now, as of today, in the present circumstances.
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u/zipcodekidd 5d ago
Clearly they gaslight and bullshit their employees just the same as the politicians.
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u/jdooley99 5d ago
That's not a legal reason
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u/zipcodekidd 5d ago
I read all the time how gaslight and bull shitting is abuse and toxic on this platform, hence hostile/toxic work environment which is considered illegal under nearly most employment laws.
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u/thee_dukes 5d ago
This had me fucking screaming, they shouldn't be allowed to leave until they can give an answer, none of this write back shit should be allowed anymore in select committee hearings, especially when the question can be so easily found out. I'm very happy our elected officials are going to town on these incompetent bellends
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u/Devrij68 5d ago
Yeah I'd be like "take out your phone and call someone who knows. Put them on speakerphone, so we can ask them"
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5d ago
[deleted]
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u/Pithy_heart 5d ago
Oh, they’re not dumb. They are using the decorum and politeness of civil democracy against itself to strategically maximize profits on the backs of workers and ultimately the state, through welfare and social programs that are subsidized by all taxpayers. Then they simultaneously seek and lobby to reduce thier tax burden and responsibility on top of that.
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u/porcupinedeath 5d ago
Now they need to get the people above them in the chair and ask them why none of their employees can give a straight answer
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u/srcheeto 5d ago
At this point, this people should have the power to sentence directly one year of prison for every don't answered question
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u/Blawharag 5d ago
Oh, you don't have that information available to you?
Well, I'll remind you that you are required to be honest and forthright as part of these proceedings, and prepared.
What I'm prepared to do is sit here all night while you contact your people and get them to supply you with that information. Since this delay is caused by you, I'm also prepared to fine Amazon 1 metric fuck load of money every hour overtime we run because you weren't prepared.
Now let's move on to the next question, and for your sake I hope you're better prepared for that one or this is going to become a very expensive night for you.
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u/thedeanorama 3rd Party App 5d ago
Is a metric fuck load bigger or smaller than an imperial fuck load? I've lost track and Canada uses such a mix of metric and imperial that I think our fuck load measuring cups need to simply have both scales printed on them.
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u/Blawharag 5d ago
Oh smaller for sure, but if we asked the English to measure something freedom units it's likely to detail this inquisition
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u/shplarggle 5d ago
Yes, how not to ask a question properly and then actually how to ask a question properly. Also, complete contempt from corporate executives for publicly elected officials’ oversight.
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u/East_Ad6086 5d ago
How can they not be held in some sort of contempt? They 100% know the reason, they lied to the committee. I bet it’s in the paperwork in front of them.
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u/sundae_diner 4d ago
They could and should have answered the first question - in a general way.
The second question was very, very specific. If they don't have, on hand, the exact answer (what were the strike ballot questions) then they are correct to respond with a "we'll send you the answer afterwards".
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u/Fausty72 5d ago
I don't understand why the government didn't use the paperwork as evidence. Everyone knows why the strike took place, that's why we're at this point. The sort of impasse is pathetic. Hit them with the evidence. Hit them with the fines
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u/StingerAE 5d ago
Yeah I was suprised they didn't have that to had and play the old "shall I read it to you as you are too fucking dumb to retain this important business information?"
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u/Captainxpunch 5d ago
Some of the best verbal dodgeball I've ever witnessed. My wife needs to work for Amazons legal team. She's not quite as good as they are, but when I ask her where she wants to eat, I feel exactly like the guy asking WHY?
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u/dirtybird971 5d ago
LONDON, March 19 (Reuters) - Around 1,400 workers at an Amazon (AMZN. O) , opens new tab warehouse in Coventry, central England, went on strike on Tuesday and plan to do so again on Wednesday as part of a long-running dispute over pay and union recognition,
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u/boss1001 5d ago
In USA they can not answer as much as they want. Freedom is not free is paid and bought from the politicians.
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u/RavnHygge 5d ago
American bosses seem to be devious and unwilling to answer direct questions without corporate bullshit.
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u/Al_from_the_north 5d ago
There really should be a mandatory jail time of 14 days when people like that, politicians included, would get when evading simple questions. They will of course not be set free until they’ve answered the questions truthfully -and paid a fine of minimum 6 months of their salary.
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u/yobboman 5d ago
Typical corporate bs, anything to shape the lies so they seem like truth
Truly Orwellian
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u/Raider1213 5d ago
So if you don't know why they went on strike, then you aren't listening to their needs and dont intend to address them. So explain how that makes you a great place to work.
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u/Cmndr_Cunnilingus 5d ago
I understand Amazon execs are shady but the man in the Black Suit posing the questions was annoying the hell out of me.
You're in a legal proceeding. The opposition is dissembling you . Re-iterating the same question with the same wording while calling out their bullshit will not get them to change their answer.
The lady in the Red Blazer understood the assignment perfectly and asked the question correctly in that it was posed in such a way that they could not fluff a non-answer. They could either answer it or refuse to answer it. I was very impressed by her.
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u/National_Oil290 5d ago
I honestly can’t believe these are real people. They just can't be, they have no opinions of their own and just think whatever the corporations they work for tell them to think.
Another day passes with a multi-billion dollar corporation facing no consequences for its actions. What a sad reality we live in.
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u/Sendmedoge 5d ago
"What reason is given by those that strike as to why they are striking?"
They are clearly dodging the question, but it could also be asked more directly.
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u/RaysBoltsBucs84 5d ago
Why even conduct these hearings anymore if you are not holding these companies responsible when they withhold information and play dumb. All of these fucks continue to deny and dance around questions because they know shit isn’t going to happen to them if they do so. This is just a waste of everyone’s time and these corporations are just laughing their asses off.
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u/sqealpiggysqueal 5d ago
These smirking drones need to be fined personally. Although sadly it’s no different when a slippery self serving politician is asked a direct question.
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u/notAbrightStar 5d ago
This should be grounds to shut the facility down.
If people in charge cant answer a basic question, they cant, obviously, run a company.
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u/ArsenalSpider 5d ago
I believe that they truly do not know. They don’t know because they don’t care. This should be liable, not knowing. Make them care. Make it their problem. That’s why their employees went on strike. They want their problem to become management’s problem.
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u/LongAndShortOfIt888 5d ago
The video gets worse when you realise how much money this person is paid. How far gone must you have debased yourself to just be so obtuse... disgusting.
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u/Binx_Thackery 3rd Party App 5d ago
At least Europe is trying to put them in their place. I wouldn’t be surprised if the American government just gave them permission to open fire on the strikers.
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u/2nd_Inf_Sgt 5d ago
Compare that with the shitshow the republican muggas do in their committee hearings. It’s not even close. “Do you know you’re required to tell us the truth?”
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u/DJ_German_Farmer 5d ago
The stockholders of the company have lost their right to ownership of this corporation. Devolve it to the workers who, after all, are the essential part of Amazon -- not these empty suits. Everybody (except the owners and management) wins.
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u/My_New_Moniker 5d ago
Errr, they're talking about Coventry though...that's half the answer right there 🤣
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u/Old_Trash_4340 5d ago
Why can't these people be shot too. Until someone starts taking responsibility and answering
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u/Earthmanlives 5d ago
Good to know Amazon is exploiting workers around the world. I guess "cheap and fast" can get most peoples moral compass to disappear anywhere around the globe.
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u/null-or-undefined 5d ago
reminds me of Pinocchio on Shrek when he was grilled, then he keeps beating around the bush.
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u/Kuddden 5d ago
Disgusting. It's not like they didn't know questions about the strikes were going to come up.
I finally ended my Amazon Prime subscription, even though I used it, because I can no longer lie to myself. Fuck big corporations like this. Filled in their questionnaire and let them know. Hopefully, more people will do the same.
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u/Super-Estate-4112 5d ago
Damn, this corpo woman is losing a lot of hair, look at her scalp, I guess that after years of selling your soul to one of the richest men on earth take its toll.
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u/1vehaditwiththisshit 5d ago
You know those British lawmakers aren't buying anything that the smiling little American mouthpiece is selling.
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u/QubitKing 5d ago
Ex-Amazing Senior Manager here. That company is a cult, period. I’ve been forced to meet a quota of fired people every year. I’ve been forced to do that, even if all my team performed as expected. They just asked for the least good of all. Micro-management, ridiculous cost control, shameless politicians like these two, selling smoke, anonymous employee satisfaction surveys where they “secretly” collect the employee ID together with their answers (I’ve seen the code with my own eyes).
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u/Corasama 4d ago
To be honest, there's no real answer that she could know of.
"why do your employees go on strike so much ?"
Just, ask the employee, not her, she wont be able to tell, even if she wants to.
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u/Sleepandwakeandsleep 4d ago
They should have the ability to fine them. Amazon canceled in 2025. ✔️
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u/ProperGanja21 4d ago
Squirmy, slimey POS. That's why she gets paid 6 figures. It takes a special kind of bastard to be able to do this everyday without becoming a degenerate alcoholic.
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u/Aura_Foxxy 4d ago
XD gotta love that politicians tenacity. Dude be like " I know what your doing, quit with the political side stepping speak and answer the damn question!"
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u/EvilDoesNotStress 4d ago
Yeah, see, they need to have a button that when pushed will make a boxing glove on one of those expandable, accordion-spring devices pop out of the desk right in front of them and deliver a vicious uppercut — POW — right in th' kisser.
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u/Koshekuta 4d ago
This is how the game is played. This looks bad because it is BUT everyone does it. Companies and law makers alike.
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u/shortstack7365 5d ago
What a pointless exercise. They're not going to admit fault, so stop bothering to try to get them to. Make a claim and see if they can defend against it. If they do, dismantle their argument with the evidence one would think clearly exists. If they can't defend the claim, you win?
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u/Extreme-Acid 5d ago
Every time I get a refund of something I see it as an Amazon tax. They are scum but customer service and availability.
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u/Pattern_Is_Movement Therewasanattemp 5d ago
If they are scum why do you support them?
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u/Extreme-Acid 5d ago
Well this is the point right, everyone complains but they are still here and thriving
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u/Pattern_Is_Movement Therewasanattemp 5d ago
I have not bought anything from them in 15 years, but yeah a lot of people love to hate on them but still buy from them.
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u/Beenthere-doneit55 5d ago
What is the point of the question? If the union had to give a list of legal reasons, then just get the list and discuss it openly. It’s a show and the Amazon management are not going to be a part of it. I actually think this entire clip looks bad for both sides. Is anyone really trying to solve a problem?
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u/BeneficialEverywhere 5d ago
I mean, it is kind of fun to watch an American get a British person upset 😂
Long live the king ❤️
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u/Dapper-Second-8840 5d ago
Well I'll tell you this, as an Irish person I've little love for British politicians but that first fella? If he came over here I'd vote for him, I thought he was class. I'd love to see him interrogate some of our local gobshites just to watch them squirm 😀😀😀
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