EXCLUSIVE: Two Amazon Workers Died After Being Denied Sick Leave At Bessemer, AL Warehouse

Two Amazon workers died within hours of each other at the company’s Bessemer warehouse last month. One was denied sick leave before suffering a fatal stroke. Workers told Kim Kelly that 6 people have died at the facility this year and Amazon is trying to cover it up.
Amazon workers in Bessemer led a campaign to unionize their warehouse with RWDSU in the beginning of 2021. Workers voted down the union, after Amazon waged an aggressive union-busting campaign. The National Labor Relations Board found that Amazon illegally interfered in the union election and called for a re-run of the election.
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[@Hollis_has_questions]

If HR refuses to let a worker leave for health reasons, and that worker subsequently dies, then it stands to reason that HR and its policy maker, all the way up the chain to Amazon’s CEO et al., should be held LEGALLY responsible for that death.

[@Celestial_Wing]

HR is UNFATHOMABLY useless in Amazon. I watched a woman get fired for not wearing a mask EVEN THOUGH she had proof of vaccination to exempt herself from wearing a mask. I also had an incident where a coworker traded paint with my car and HR refused to cooperate with police as a matter of fact, they gave that worker the day off and told them go home immediately before the cops show up!

[@RAGINGMACHOMANX]

Absolutely

[@aorusaki]

100%

[@XxArchPrincexX]

My opinion you’ve just cracked the case. But why if it’s obvious there’s nothing done. 🤔 💭

[@Hollis_has_questions]

@@XxArchPrincexX Billionaires are bulletproof.

[@freedomfighter4990]

If Americans would stop buying from Amazon, even just for 30 days, WE, the people, could force them to let their staff unionize so atrocities like this would stop happening.

[@phriedokra6158]

But you dont understand dude!!!! I need my 10 cent earrings from China now!!

[@mariettamullin322]

Ok. I’ll get my returns done first .

[@user-ip2ci4ql8g]

@@phriedokra6158 I'm sure there's a smaller store in your town that would have earrings for a certain percentage off if not even better then Amazon's.

[@metalvideos1961]

Yeah good luck with that. Millions of Americans that don't care about this or know about this

[@kate9576]

Even 1 day a month would cause a huge dent.

[@vivalaleta]

These men are noble. The young one is an especially good reporter.

[@Scorpiosting_1029]

Sad and disgusting all at the same time. May that co-worker rest in peace.

[@marielosc.gladden2164]

🙏RIP

[@esoteric_teachings]

Boycott Amazon

[@tammieg4788]

This happened to my aunt at wawa. She worked the sub counter and asked to leave, she felt very ill. They told her no that if she left she would be fired. Several hours later she demanded an abulance they said no, but she did not give up. Finally they called as she was having a massive heart attack. All I wanna say is they don't really care about us.

[@chuckdeuces911]

Michael Jackson.... what do we do? What can be done?

[@dsoutherland1747]

Everyone should be shown respect on the job. If employees need to leave because of sickness, the treating physician can write out an excuse for that person to give to their supervisor.

[@freezerburn3423]

I'm so sorry; no employee should have to watch their co-worker die (preventable), and go back to work like nothing happen! We need the PRO act now!!!

[@glm4054]

It's SO WONDERFUL to finally hear the truth being spoken in this country ❣️❣️🇺🇲💔🇺🇲💔💔🌠🌠🌠

[@lightninglord1]

Platform

[@patsydanec7864]

I order from Amazon all the time but I am rethinking this-thank you to those who are speaking up about their worker abuse-this is inexcusable.

[@carolynwright4554]

Me too now.

[@User-sb6er]

Support the workers in trying to get unions formed into these facilities ...that is how we take the power back.

[@E88twenty2]

Makes me sick I used Amazon without thinking about the way it's workers are treated

[@ramonaof12thdimension13]

Amazon needs a Union. Solidarity with the Amazon workers!

[@james_chatman]

Solidarity with the Amazon workers!

[@condaquan9459]

How would a Union help?

[@daveogarf]

@@condaquan9459 - LEVERAGE

[@condaquan9459]

@@daveogarf that doesn’t answer the question whatsoever, what I’m getting at is unions historically have not achieved a net gain for workers, only a gain for their members at the expense of everyone else. Since the highest union membership was around 1/3rd of the population that means logically that unions supposedly helped 1/3 and fucked over the other 2/3. Not to mention most unions are for well paying jobs, why? Because it allows the union bosses and leaders to make the most. So again how can a union which historically has actually helped little, help?

[@p0stboredom]

Solidarity with the workers of Amazon. Here's hoping more locations can unionize asap.

[@vicchavez6570]

They use employment agencies to circumvent osha regulations and disability claims

[@talisikid1618]

Read the comments here. The union doesn’t necessarily protect you. They follow the money too. They were corrupted long ago. This is what happens when a society forgets it’s religion & ditches it’s morality. Then you automatically get a society that has to pass ten million laws to curb everyone’s greed & selfishness.

[@lolawalsh9187]

@@talisikid1618 you are right on

[@diannabunch5678]

We donate need unions we we have a government who will not let these companies can take a person's constitutional rights. Unions just take your money and do not protect them from money grubbing Companies.

[@sabush50]

Unions do work. I work for a union shop and would never work for a non-union shop again. With a union they will stand behind you. If your not a violent worker you will get your job back. You are the one that controls your attendance if you miss to much time that is your own fault. If you have an illness you can get FMLA but you do have to work for a year at the shop.

[@dwaynetaylor9639]

I quit SecurAmerica in Boston when my supervisor denied my request to go home. I was shivering, my temperature was high and I was drowsy incapable of performing my duties due to having the flu 😷.

[@williamharris1719]

WE DONT SHOP AT AMAZON IN MY HOUSE DONT FEED THE BEAST

[@donnasipes2104]

As I'm reading this article, I can imagine how those 2 people or more felt. Having to stand on those Concrete Hard floors for more than 8 hrs and more even having to lift heavy packages is torture to your entire body sooner or later but at the same time in your head u r thinking about your bills, your family and a roof over your head vs leaving the job and it's painful and it's a very painful and hard decision to make. And after u get off from work your feet r pounding and aching, u can barely relax and your body is also hurting. By the time your feet began to ease from the pain approx 6 hrs later then it's time to go back to work. So I'm sitting here w tears in my eyes because The Company doesn't care about workers or anyone. I hope tht each person tht died in a Amazon Facility will Sue Them! And their families would get paid Millions and or Billions of dollars!

[@katherinejones850]

Stockholders are far more important than the commodity of laborers.

[@esoteric_teachings]

Boycott Amazon

[@l2love516]

Amazon’s employee neglect, abuse, and silencing/firing for speaking up have been going on for YEARS - and their day is coming. Thanks for sharing this!

[@lauradufel7277]

Thank God for those that speak up ! So sorry for those suffering from losing their loved ones. Very sad situation.

[@esoteric_teachings]

Boycott Amazon

[@ce1088]

That is ashame, Amazon employee are not machines. That’s not happening only at Amazon it’s happening everywhere. These big corporations look at you like you are slaves . All they think about is the money in their pockets. And don’t want to give you a raise for what you do and worth. They always say you don’t get a bigger raise cause of what you make which is nothing, and also say you been here long enough you should know it and do it anyway.

[@florastewart7920]

Which is why people are quitting in droves

[@jackiechappell4415]

The bigger these companies become the worst they treat their employees 🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@robcmacho9749]

I am mad as hell. It’s time for my family and I boycott Amazon!!! I will no longer do business with Amazon.

[@esoteric_teachings]

I been boycotting Amazon for years, spread Justice and boycott for life

[@par3me]

How many people liking this buy from Amazon? Support local. Support small businesses.

[@james_chatman]

Support Unions.

[@par3me]

@@james_chatman Over local small businesses? How much of your dollar spent at a corporation stays locally? How much of your dollar spent with a small local business stays locally? Why save a buck so a rich guy can go to space when you can support your community and the jobs within it?

[@frankd.506]

@@par3me Support both including local farmers when ever possible.

[@par3me]

@@frankd.506 the wife and I have been working for years to transition our life to better our community and family. With all the craziness of COVID it kicked things into high gear. Our next move is buying our nest directly from the rancher. Grass fed and local. 🇺🇸

[@frankd.506]

@@par3me Right on ,half a cow coming soon and el natural of course, Merry Christmas.

[@LightsCameraEdwin]

Amazon Labor Union rally TONIGHT 8pm at Times Sq let's go 🔥

[@reidbtable]

This is how inhumane we have gotten? If we dont change this ....we are lost.

[@katherinejones850]

Capitalism is deadly, killing workers & planet!

[@metalvideos1961]

America literally is the most inhumane country of the developed world. Even some 3rd world countries do it better than this. Even employees in China have it better than this. So you know

[@BenjiPyles]

Some real Christmas spirit from Amazon. As in Scrooge or the Grinch

[@tamaraprentice9280]

These working conditions are archaic!!! No one should be denied sick time when they ask for it! I hope the the families OWN Amazon after this

[@cooljay8195]

A company/cooperation as big as Amazon their is only two ways to hurt them. You have to effect their bottom line cause in the grand scheme of things they will never give a damn about their employees. You must stop working their jobs and stop buying their products. You will get no help from politicians or any other agencies cause they have all been compromised. Til then these are gonna be cautionary tales with tragic outcomes. My condolences to the families that lost their love ones.

[@florastewart7920]

Do you think Jeff cares more about his employees or that stupid space ship.

[@chinadoll534]

Nicely done. Kudos to the both of you for speaking out. We need more people like you…

[@dsmith199]

Bravo to you two men that dared to speak out. I would have never known they are such a despicable corporation. Basically Amazon is saying the box of goods that you just packed is more important to them than a human being! So disgusting! Unfortunately I placed an order with Amazon a day ago but it will be my last. I hope OSHA fines them and the families of the departed sue them for BIG money. There are lawyers out there that would be happy to take on a case like this with no money up front. 🙏🙏

[@mariannezito7059]

This is criminal they should be charged and put in jail and got new caring managers

[@eddie6719]

There should be a state n federal investigation of what happened at this warehouse n all that denied these people leave of not feeling well accountable

[@esoteric_teachings]

Boycott Amazon

[@coasthome8356]

This is like slavery... sickening.

[@sarahgarner5425]

This is horrifying. I'm going to think twice before ordering from amazon again. Only if they start to lose business due to their policies will things change.

[@lindareed7341]

Sue the Hell out of Amazon

[@martinnhantran]

Unionization needs to be supported everywhere.

[@jc5113]

Thanks for the solidarity -Bessemer Amazon worker

[@itz3lliott78]

I work for Amazon and if at any moment I experience any of these I’m bringing the entire company down. 💯

[@esoteric_teachings]

Strike! I boycott Amazon

[@bernicerogersbooker6333]

This is so sad may God deal with them the same way they dealt with those men a fair exchange is no robbery

[@metalvideos1961]

Where was God for those people that died? O right nowhere.

[@esoteric_teachings]

Boycott Amazon

[@jimilee4609]

Workers Comp Attorney Is Needed for These Employees 👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸

[@mranderson4739]

That’s disturbing

[@1212LeoSnake]

Sounds like the Staples FC in Lithia Springs, GA. Amazon is way bigger so that's why Staples is barely bought up. M.o.f. Staples does a small portion of Amazon's orders!

[@talisikid1618]

It’s time to bust up & strictly regulate corporations. We need serious legal punishments for corporations & the elites for using their wealth to protect themselves from moral duty & the law. And I mean serious punishments.

[@katherinejones850]

And anti trust prosecutions!

[@Desery168]

So sad, stress is deadly

[@happycook6737]

This is so terrible! 😔😭

[@maryrussell2950]

Never bought anything from Amazon,and Never will!!!!

[@rg1whiteywins598]

It's not just Amazon, I'm obviously alive , but as a teenager in the 1970s I worked at a department store, and suddenly became very ill. Terrible stomach ache and nausea. I went to the restroom to throw up and my boss was in there smoking cigarettes . She screamed at me telling me to get back to work. I told her I was horribly sick. She said too bad. So I called my dad to come get me and I quit. This junk happens. Some of what it is with Amazon is they don't want workers to get lazy on the job, which IS a human tendency. They want a well oiled crew, but maybe just don't do that right. Nobody is forced to work there. If nobody took those jobs, they would be forced to change.

[@kaycoats8344]

Boycott Amazon until they agree to let employees off when they complain about being sick. !!!

[@mendoblendo321]

I'm glad I've never bought anything from Amazon

[@verticalintegration5222]

I work for Amazon I hate my job I hate my management I don’t like my co workers they suck

[@irontarkus7965]

This is so fucked. The extent that we enabled amazon and other giant companies makes me sick to my stomach.

[@liamlove2417]

This is why I boycott Amazon, solidarity

[@neenalouise2633]

Worked to death-Sounds like modern day slavery (so to speak) It’s so sad bc their deaths and this tragedy could’ve been avoided completely. God bless these men who’ve been speaking up before this happens to someone else!

[@elisapommier6702]

I hope you all can do a class action lawsuit if you do give it to Amazon good!

[@Houseless_socialist]

This is vile!

[@sunshinerainbows4627]

Wondering...... 1. "We don't care if you're in pain" Would the person saying this be a woman? 2. What are the warehouse conditions like.... adequate heat and air conditioning, enough ventilation, able to eat lunch..... 3. Are shifts reasonable? 8 hrs, 10 hrs, 12 hours maximum? 4. Any exposure to chemicals without proper PPE? Watching this helps me realize the guys where I am don't seem like themselves. Not an Amazon facility. Different ages. Better forget about management and start asking questions. I'd hate to walk into someone not alive. Can't figure out what's wrong in this country, only that something is definitely wrong. 🤔

[@katherinejones850]

Greed; inability to consider that capitalism is not best system of organizing economy or society. Patriarchy & white supremacy are evil also.

[@normaroe7363]

Amazon should be made liable and accountable for the deaths of their workers in their facility. This incidents are inhumane. One has to give up his life in order to feed his/ her family. Is this modern slavery? Amazon has blood in their hands. Inhumane treatment! for wealth!

[@mariecarlucci3114]

I hope he sues the job!!

[@executivespectre]

People: this is awful. People: * uses Amazon prime *.

[@br8k_7mach16]

What about a lawsuit ?

[@sherrylynnwinkles8789]

Need someone to look out for the hard workers, Respect the workers

[@shadaniels4126]

Wow you would think they would have a social worker to talk with, give a day off with pay..You are not alone but they are a terrible company to work for ... God bless y'all..Rip to the co- workers who will never have to practically be told where they could die at again...🙏💙

[@tangicoleman3306]

Wow I didn’t even know Amazon was like this…glad I was turned down

[@AS-cn4lz]

It’s like this almost everywhere. These big plants don’t care about their workers because it’s easy work and everyone is easily replaced. You have to decide for yourself if your health is more important than a job. You can always get another job but you only get one life.

[@bigdeal6852]

Don't EVER count on Human Relations at a Company to help you... despite what they tell you ! They serve the Company not you... because they get paid by the Company. It's better to get outside help.

[@darkknight9086]

SO TRUE

[@VirgoCatleesi]

Facts!

[@barbthompson2715]

I SMELL TWO LAWSUITS!!, what about you!

[@bendershome4discountorphan859]

Absolutly abonimable

[@lovelysosweet8386]

So sad and cruel! Then cover it up! Evil 👿

[@tonietchison1730]

So sad.

[@arlinechavez2233]

I had worked for arc bld svcs pomona and when Osha..came..everything was perfect. Enough staffing, work wasn't pushed on people missing lunch time. A person has to realize to stand up to this type of corp..you need tp be ready. Meaning your alone can you handle it. Once a person is at the lowest alone..it's like your not scared like what else could I lose...is when that person becomes strong powerful...but the after effects of suing a company like that is really hard. Abide by your hr book regulations, but also know your rights. Keep a record of any problems that may come up..should you need to sue..you have your own record. When you go up against a company there lawyer will break your life down to find a way for them to win against you. It's humiliating. I feel for these people. I won my lawsuit BUT I had to not include sexual harassment and any mention of the radiation that affected me. My lawyers wanted the million I just wanted it over to move on....good luck to these people..be strong..

[@esoteric_teachings]

Boycott Amazon

[@ilianavazquez3135]

That's horrible. I wont even buy from em after my brother

[@barbaraweidenhammer7644]

How sad.

[@montanaminck8423]

My manager at Holiday Inn, wouldn't let me go home, and made me close, I had a 102 temperature, could barely see , it was horrible, I was so sick, he didn't care, I had the most God awful flu you could get, I was out of work for over Two weeks, I ended up in the hospital for 2 days, I hope the jerk got some KARMA for putting me through that, that was 1986, it's the yr 2022, that's how sick I was to remember it all these yrs later

[@collinpowell7902]

Amazon should not ever be a job to do long term

[@melcha7352]

All these managers are worried they want get their bonuses if they don't keep the warehouse going strong.

[@ellamaeloftus3493]

The policy needs to change for those with emergencies needed despite not having enough leave. So you don't have enough left? No reason to terminate. Do hope HR encourages long-term disability. Amazon struggles in our state to get and keep employees. It is clear why

[@filipinoamericanvlogger7449]

This is really sad story. Could not believe how Amazon treated their employee.

[@judthchrismon3345]

I was thinking about taking a very part-time job with Amazon, but I think I'll put a hold on that thought.🤔

[@markfurman4386]

Don't tell management. Call 911 and say you need an ambulance. Tell the 911 dispatcher where in the building you are. Decline to speak with your company reps while the EMTs are there, simply go to the hospital. Then file medical against the company. Use a good workmans comp attorney who is NOT paid for or contracted BY your company, since company docs and company health services WILL AND MUST reach a finding that favors the company and disadvantages YOU.

[@Miriam-fk9wr]

This is so sad, R.I.P.

[@audreyclanton5483]

They Violated The Family Leave Act of 1993

[@conniebaker1958]

That’s awful!!!!!!

[@BLAZE45]

It's really bad. I provided medical documents and a doctor's note because I can not work more than 8hrs due to a mental disorder and back injuries from when I was In the military. I applied for the medical accommodation back in November and never got a response from them until after peak was over. Peak is where you are forced into 12hr shifts everyday from November to the end of December. Halfway through I got injured and they refused to let me go home or take paid medical leave. Instead they put me on "light" duty which there was nothing light about it. I ended up making my injury much worse then finally they decided to put me in another job handing out mask but still for 12hrs. I apprently wasn't even supposed to be doing that. Finally after peak finished they sent me home on Leave of absence no pay meanwhile I'm still in agonizing pain. We were limping out of work everyday. I ended having really bad mental episodes which then triggered a bunch of my GI problems. They do this because they want you to quit so they don't have to pay you unemployment or workers compensation or the bonus they give you. 3k but you get them every 30 days in the amount of $500 which is taxed. I got really sick with CoVID symptoms and was told to stay home until I got my CoVID test. They gain me a return date and everything. I received the results the day before my return and they tried to not excuse the absence and deny the leave of absence they put me on in the first place. I had to really fight them to get it fixed. They also violated HIPPA because during a medical appointment at their AmCare station they had multiple people randomly coming in talking loudly so loud the doctor could not hear me and missed some information that was needed for workers compensation. My coworkers are about to be fired for missing days after they were also put on a leave of absence and told they could only work 6hrs by their doctors. HR claimed they can't help and that they needed to speak with their case manager who also never responds to phone calls or emails. They also violated the Americans with disabilities act by not responding to my accommodations request. This company is pure evil. The managers are heartless psychopaths. All the rumors about Amazon are 100% true.

[@brendatroy2843]

I AGREE WITH YOU BLADE 45. THUS COMPANY IS PURE EVIL

[@katherinejones850]

BOYCOTT NOW!

[@janebeatty200]

Well that settles it for me...NO MORE BUYING OFF OF AMAZON FOR ME... THE SORRY SOBS 🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@willruiz1740]

Two ppl were murdered at the FC at RDG1 in Hamburg PA

[@ColossalSwordFormAndTechnique]

When i worked at amazon. A girl got injured with a wooden pallet. Looked pretty bad. It took so long for the managers and pa to take her out the building. I didn’t know what happened. I was laid off a month ago, there was no work coming for months. My guess is lots of my coworkers also got laid off.

[@ImperfectlyhappytobemeMichelle]

I worked at Walgreens and I was sick my heart was missing beats I could barely walk I went to emergency they said I had hypokalaemia ... my mom and dad just died that year months apart and I was dealing with that too. Walgreens punished me for being sick and lied about me and did things to make me finally quit. And than they lied about me to my next place of employment. To ruin my name. People have really become evil and rottten. I went to emergency and gave them proof too ... I had Hypokalemia which is severely low in Potassium and an iron deficiency from womans problems. My heart could have stopped they said without enough potassium. I tried my very best and cant believe how I was treated.

[@charlainemarkesen4708]

The workers should’ve gone to “project veritas “

[@esoteric_teachings]

Workers need to organize and strike, shut EVERY Amazon warehouse down coast to coast!

[@brucevilla7490]

Time to sue Scamazon.

[@zulaikagould9230]

Sue, Sue, Sue, one call that's all. Call Ken baby.

[@NatsRunningJourney]

I work for Amazon and I had a situation where I asked for help not only from management but HR . I created a case to complain about how HR and management don’t care about their employees not only that how my situation was taken as a joke . Of corse they closed my case gave me a site to complain and still haven’t heard anything . They don’t care about you this company is all about numbers they know they can replace you for the next individual. To them you are just another body , you can be sick , not feeling well , literally very I’ll and they don’t care . You guys are very noble and strong for speaking up , and may the worker who lost his life Rest In Peace 😔👏🏻.

[@micheleotero1516]

My roommate always gets delivery s from Amazon. I told to 🛑🛑🛑🛑 Stop They killing people at Amazon. My roommate has not stop buying from amazon

[@katherinejones850]

Buy local! Reuse recycle repurpose!!!

[@liighterspoppow5152]

A man at mine had a heart attack and never returned ….I got covid and hadn’t been paid in a month and a half …came back had a nervous breakdown with medial notes and after. A Group of new ppl were hired I was fired for not having upt….they also played the chicken nugget song and baby shark on repeat and rang cowbells at us and had ppl in pillars watching us with a blow horn…..I can’t make this ishh up. Haven’t supported Amazon ever since….however I use my shopping cart to find items to directly buy from the manufacturer

[@lov4128]

I have almost passed out many times. Its so freakin HOT in the warehouse. They need to turn up the a/c, someone in washington state controls it. I am sure our local managers can take care of that. Its a serious safety issue.

[@peterthephillip]

But guys we are a family.

[@deborahwright9633]

This is a good example why labor unions were created in the first place.

[@truthteller8261]

I hate to say it but this is not just Amazon this is the distribution warehouse industry everywhere especially down south in Memphis Tennessee they had a worker to go out on lunch break and no one realize she had passed in her car on the parking lot until hours later when they realize she had not returned from break

[@valerieduncan9975]

Inhuman!

[@lindasmith1593]

Hate to, but I guess I have to give up Amazon

[@marilyn8700]

I hope those families sued the shit out of Amazon, this is just horrific. People are not fkn Robots!

[@ladybug3856]

Amazon sucks why are they still in business

[@londonspade5896]

From US Marines to Amazon.... Why must it come to this