Moment MP is left frustrated after Amazon heads repeatedly fail to answer his question on strikes

[@ThusSpokeGriever]

Avoidance should be use as contempt in court

[@userxyz64]

This is not a court!

[@andrewdmcgill1]

Is there no way these executives can be held in contempt or something for being essentially hostile witnesses?

[@josephl5128]

Probably not, technically speaking I’m sure it’s possible but the likelihood of that is very slim

[@lordhumungus4165]

In an ideal world of course they would But they are in that position to protect their employer, hence they are very experienced in circumnavigating the questions I spent a long time in that world, to admit culpability is anathema to the whole game (so to speak)

[@HaydenCyclist]

If you check their CVs, one went to Harvard, the other Oxbridge. They're rewarded for being fork tongued and imbeciles.

[@L-Bj]

It's not a courtroom, court of law. It's a committee meeting (with multiple companies that same day). No contempt of court.

[@bobbytreetop1701]

What a pair of vile , smug , vacuous reptiles.

[@mrhealth8334]

If that’s how they behave on camera in public view, imagine how much worse they are behind closed doors at work. Absolutely vile and revolting behaviour- they should be ashamed.

[@owstonlad3859]

Smiling Assassins.

[@screamingskull1860]

That's a good point, and it also applies to politicians who use the same tactics.

[@dcvariousvids8082]

I doubt they know what shame is.

[@darrenc2721]

Yet people still work for these morons under these conditions. Imagine working for a company that has probably already got someone lined up for when you quit, staff turnover must be horrendous.

[@DermotLehane]

The answer is obvious, imagine negotiating with these people.

[@darrenc2721]

She already said allegations over 2 years, they wont negotiate and they hate any union. But in the uk we have more rights than amazon workers in other countries and amazon currently have such a huge turnover they can afford to absorb such huge losses in workers (efficient ones) and revenue. However it is an extremely bad way to do business. Even worse is when those amazon consultants turn up to an official meeting and they withold and claim they do not have the information they know is going to be requested at the meeting, smacks of so much arrogance, its insulting its ludicrous. Imagine being stuck in that room knowing your going to lie to everyone from the beginning to the end of the meeting, to have been coached on what you can and cannot say, a company that hates its workers and hates transparency on working conditions. Thats hilarious! Amazon cant absorb those losses forever, eventually one of two things will happen. Their financial losses will be so great they will be forced eventually to negotiate or concede, or theyll go out of business, in which case they will simply abandon the uk warehouses and write them off as it would probably be cheaper. Amazons philosophy of brute force in their selling strategy, simply will tip over in the end and they are already taking huge losses in returned items as its beginning to affect their profit margins, hence the huge return pallets up for auction. Amazon sources its product irrespective of quality and so much is getting returned, because a lot of the products are cheap knockoffs. But it is the only way they can maintain their dominance in the market. Walmart had a similar issue, they purchased asda and realised they had made a horredous mistake, so they cut their losses before they become a huge problem. Asdas now struggling as well. Walmarts struggling to compete with Amazon, but they cant absorb these kind of of losses forever, so let them drag it out, it will cost them so much money the longer they do anyway. Either the workers win a fair wage and decent employment contract, (which amazon wont allow) or amazon wins, but in either case, amazon wont negotiate unless it benefits them. Meanwhile jeff is spending 500 million on a wedding. No wonder they got issues.

[@philipjohnkaye8890]

She is like one of those smug, fake superficial managers at a call centre.... It doesn't matter what the question is or how you ask it.... They give you an answer to something you haven't asked........ It's a manipulative tactic to avoid being exposed.....

[@Jon-xw9om]

Might as well be using United Healthcare's AI system.

[@indridcold2872]

Answer: “The corporate elitists who run Amazon are leaving workers with no choice. Greedy executives are pushing thousands of hardworking people to the brink." Official statement from the union about the strike.

[@lindacurrie8817]

Thank you. The union has to remain within the law and clearly they do only then will they battle for their workers. Keep in mind the workers pay their monthly fee to the union and when required the union will battle for them. Join a union as to take on an employer as one single person will get you nowhere. Collective majority will.

[@bobsocks7575]

I agree with you, but let’s not suggest Unions are paragons of virtue and honesty

[@sausagembape677]

She said that they were back and forth for 2 years but she didn't know what the grievance was? How can they get away with this?

[@Blisterdude123]

Because corporations are in the perfect position of not being legally defined as people. So trying to attack them through courts is almost impossible, by design. Occasionally a corporation will sever a scapegoat from the herd, as a sacrifice, and offer its head to some trial or court for wrongdoing. But the corporate entity continues, protected.

[@userxyz64]

​@@Blisterdude123yet corporations have many of the rights of a person?

[@KINGFLX]

Eloquently put. And so the sheet show continues..

[@ednash3571]

What’s the point of these hearings if they don’t have to answer the questions put to them?

[@davidclark1545]

@@ednash3571 it’s so MPs can feel important whilst being totally ineffective.

[@rodmanhatten]

They can be held in contempt and prosecuted. That’s why the chair reminds them of their duty and gives them a final chance to comply at the end.

[@davidclark1545]

@@rodmanhatten all they can do is take the case before Parliament for them to vote on a contempt charge. The Committee in their own right don’t have the power to bring a contempt charge. It’s a vacant threat. I believe the last person to be found in contempt of parliament and punished was back in the 1800s

[@AM2K2]

Corporate pantomime - nothing changes.

[@Liverpool-s5n]

@@davidclark1545 True, and just as bad as the ones they go against, the kettle calling the pot black

[@blaaaaahhhh15]

Avoidance. Pathetic avoidance. Shows exactly how much respect Amazon has for its workers and this country.

[@amarazane4519]

Amazon. Never have, never will.

[@bobsocks7575]

But their behaviour is no different to those in power In Westminster

[@MrDominicg90]

The smiles on her face is outrageous, they should be held in contempt, anyone that stands in the way of government questions when we demand answers is beyond pathetic and they should be fined

[@micbutterfield]

Corporate America at its finest. “I don’t have that detail now”. I don’t want to answer that question.

[@countbenjamin1442]

This isn't in the United States

[@screamingskull1860]

@@countbenjamin1442 This occurred in the UK. Nonetheless, have you kept up with other UK inquiries, such as those concerning the COVID-19 inquiry or the Post Office Horizon IT scandal? Paula Vennells, Rishi Sunak, and Boris Johnson mirrored Ronald Reagan's approach during John Poindexter's trial in both instances. Reagan stated he couldn't remember details over a hundred times, yet he experienced no memory problems when asserting his innocence.

[@Blisterdude123]

@@screamingskull1860 It's very nearly the perfect non-answer. You're not lying, you're not admitting ignorance, you commit to nothing, say nothing, and yet also cannot be accused of outright hostility or a lack of cooperation.

[@screamingskull1860]

@@Blisterdude123 Exactly, proving that the inquiries are a waste of time unless they are followed up with depositions under oath and charges to be resolved in a court of law.

[@tbc1_slava807]

In the us they would have just accepted the first answer politcs arent that advanced over there

[@davidrobertson5700]

I just cancelled my Amazon subscription because there was an utterly contemptible refusal to answer every simple question answer. 5 million Brits should cancel their subscription too. Then they WILL answer.

[@davidroberts3995]

Amazon is convenient, but I'd rather shop more meaningfully. Not sure many larger retailers are necessarily any better, but makes me at least think more about purchases I make and where my moneys going. Great name David Robertson!

[@MrJudgementday99]

No you didn’t

[@craigjames499]

I've never used Amazon. People are flabbergasted when I tell them. I'm told they are convenient, cheap and efficient but I'm not encouraging them with my money to carry on with their Victorian business practices. I will continue to boycott them

[@davidrobertson5700]

@@MrJudgementday99 hey, you are the sock mater ? Yes I actually did. Go play with yourself

[@MrJudgementday99]

@ I still don’t believe you. Just words

[@aodhan2023]

"we have been engaging with GMB on these issues around striking for 2 years but I cant recall now , the reasons for striking"

[@Blockitjames]

That's so true 😂

[@streetlegal008]

That bloke refusing to answer - this is actually an offence of 'contempt for Parliament' - must have served his time in management at the Post Office.

[@ashleywilson8306]

We have spent 2 years in deep conversation with the employees, we talk to them all the time But I Aparantly have never made a note of any of their grievances and all those calls are just me reminding them how supportive we are of their right to be striking.

[@jamesaston410]

About time Amazon was boycotted! Personally, I never use them and never will

[@josephrobinson6171]

These 'people' should be held in contempt of court for wasting so much time and refusing to answer questions they have been summoned to answer

[@davidclark1545]

It’s not a court, they are under no real obligation to even turn up..

[@screamingskull1860]

We shouldn't blame Amazon; we should be blaming our shopping habits.

[@jonnyl425]

This is how mps should be questioned until they answer

[@Liverpool-s5n]

But they will not answer, even if you put them to the rack

[@nunoloureiro6673]

I worked as a warehouse operative for Amazon UK. Pushed to the brink every single day! Since then, I refuse to buy anything from this company!

[@jefs6052]

I cancelled my Amazon Prime subscription 3 years ago because I did not feel comfortable with their business model. The manner in which these two senior managers avoided answering the questions is quit staggering and there should be consequences for both them and Amazon.

[@lindacurrie8817]

Outrageous did not answer the question. What is more than outrageous is that they do not want to answer the reason as to why the workers go on strike so much. They must know the reasons and yet get away with avoiding the answer. Extremely arrogant smirking and full of contempt. Ends with we will write back

[@sea_ellef]

"I'm pulling teeth at this point" yep! Either they didn't know, or they didn't want to say,. They were REQUIRED to be honest and comply with the committee. Now I want to see consequences for deliberately sending 2 'know nothings' to answer questions of importance.

[@stephenholmes1036]

I will not buy off Amazon because they treat their staff with contempt, listen to these responses of these so-called managers they are a disgrace

[@helicoptergunship]

If this is what their top brass are like when they are in a fancy parliament select committee hearing, imagine what its like to work for Amazon

[@dannyfeller7034]

Just stop Amazon from being able to trade in the UK.

[@sonnykeith8338]

People should attempt to review their spending at Amazon after watching this. I certainly am.

[@amarazane4519]

Amazon is a good place to stay away from!

[@alfierobins1464]

This could be the standard in any boardroom in Britain today, easy to blame workers at the bottom, look at how clueless some of them are at the top. So out of touch and the biggest reason this country lags behind other countries in pay and productivity.

[@ChrisM541]

Truly fn disgusting antics by Amazon !!!

[@screamingskull1860]

We shouldn't blame Amazon; we should be blaming our shopping habits.

[@Jim230176]

Nice to see an MP to see what it’s like to have a question avoided!

[@seanmichaelo9777]

Firstly…..Amazon , Do us a favour . PAY YOUR TAXES!!!!! 😡 Secondly , I had a contract with Amazon distribution centres for fit outs and alterations. It was a nightmare. The way the mid level managers tried talking to me (MD, own my business ) after about 5 weeks I told them to f8ckk off and shove the work up their ar5e. I’ve seen how some of the employees and agency staff are treated. It’s not on. Few weeks later they called and asked us to price another site, I just laughed and put the phone down.

[@screamingskull1860]

Don't blame the player; blame the game. Change the tax laws in Europe!

[@seanmichaelo9777]

@@screamingskull1860uk isn’t bound by European tax laws since brexit

[@screamingskull1860]

@@seanmichaelo9777 Point well made. Let me be more accurate: The UK Government should create new tax regulations for businesses operating in the UK. I contend that regaining control over tax revenues is one of the aims of Brexit!

[@seanmichaelo9777]

@@screamingskull1860 I’m 100% in agreement with you there

[@jackhorsley3912]

Well done to this man! Extremely professional, respectful and showed who these people really are.

[@astonmartinvee8]

These guys should be held in contempt.

[@krobertskdr30]

Exactly why I've never used Amazon...modern day Victorian workhouse

[@nonalvle]

At the start when the guy repeated the question that he’d obviously at that point, asked several times before, the response from the woman was classic stupidity. She smiled and nodded like a docile animal and laughed like she had never heard that language before 😂 the word “you Moron” came to mind immediately after seeing that. I really feel sorry for that committee to have to put up with such corporate nonsense. Shame on her! Be a better person and either be honest and then look to make the changes needed or get another job to save your own integrity 🙂

[@prometheus23c]

There is shameless gaslighting, and then there's this. If this is how they treat Members of Parliament imagine how they disrespect Health and Safety Executive inspectors or HMRC compliance officers.

[@monikel]

We get why people went on strikes by acknowledging the behaviour of these 2

[@SteezMe1234]

If its a legal requirement for there to be a documented legal reason for the strike, why is there not a legal requirement to produce these documents to commities when engaging in these meetings so as to avoid this back and forth nonsense? Seriously, this is just dumb all round

[@johnbucketsofrain7343]

We don't have much leverage against these exploitative companies but we can choose where to spend our money. For me, Amazon is a last resort.

[@andrewgamble5332]

Touche is the word I think.I don't think they want to tell you.

[@gregharding7329]

These people must have gone to the same school as polliticians for how not to answer a question. Just pathetic.

[@richardbaxter4684]

Wow what a bunch of crooks

[@sh3riff]

These meetings are an absolute waste of time!!! Nothing comes from them!!

[@ryanf6530]

Politicians getting a taste of their own medicine, lol.

[@gazsm1]

Parliamentary committees... about as much use as a chocolate fireguard! If this was a small business they would be interviewed under caution by police and, possibly, go to court. But, because it's a multinational corporation with huge profits, it goes to a Parliamentary committee where they just evade every important question, and nothing happens!

[@snotwurfit]

Their refusal to answer a straightforward question is staggering, but let's also remember that this is what MPs build their careers on too. See 'Paxman v Howard' Newsnight for one of the classic examples of this

[@nikkijones4978]

So … they track and time (probably) the entire supply and delivery service) so that productivity is maximised, yet they dont know the reason why all those man hours were lost due to strike action? That is complete and utter bull**** and they should be ashamed.

[@screamingskull1860]

Ah, yes. Shaimig them will get them to change. As if that ever worked.!

[@erinjohnson7329]

Amazing that they can recall so quickly, so clearly, all the things that staff tell them make them happy to work at Amazon, but the reasons for strike action (which are required by our employer-friendly staff-unfriendly laws) just fell out of their heads... It makes me wonder whether they have ever heard negative feedback from staff but, whoops!, failed to retain that insight. "It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it." -Upton Sinclair

[@alexleitchbscopen3905]

It sounds like Contempt by Amazon

[@screamingskull1860]

Don't blame the player; blame the game. Change the tax laws in Europe!

[@silverghini2629]

The irony of an MP getting frustrated about a non-politician not answering the question!

[@Superman-nn4nw]

The pair of them are bare-faced liars. They know why they wanted to strike.

[@UnknownPersononGoogle]

In the US a building was striking at Amazon and Amazon decided to flood the place using the fire suppression system to try and stop them striking.

[@amarazane4519]

Get Amazon out of our country!!

[@AnaInTh3Sky]

This is our oligarchical system in a nutshell... corporations de facto above the law and unaccountable to elected officials...

[@tashussain560]

Legal duty of candour is required.

[@FlbcImp]

Amazon workers in America have no rights and management treats them with contempt,that attitude was on display especially by the American female who no doubt has the corporate mindset and resents being questioned.

[@tadsalyards]

What obvious snakes in the grass.

[@KabbyHandSguru]

This is the reason why I no longer shop with Amazon

[@mrcrumb4302]

Pointless waste of time. Everyone being paid to be in that room and get mugged off by those two fops.

[@EvgeneXI]

Exactly. If the government cared they’d seize amazons assets until they actually pay tax and answer questions. As it stands the corpo 🐀 will continue to be corpo 🐀. And this committee will achieve nothing. They’ll get paid tho.

[@davidclark1545]

Seeing that MPs never answer questions it’s a bit rich for them to expect others to…..

[@catalinmot375]

They 100% know. They just don't want to answer. They have no shame at all.

[@brianrong]

What were those various reasons given by the workers that caused those various strikes over the years? Neither she nor he will divulge..

[@tonywatson1412]

Time this bs was called out

[@sarakissi6984]

Can you watch full commitee?

[@Truthurts-s9t]

They've obviously undergone training in the House Of Commons.

[@Superzesh101]

What happens now? Good questions, but what is the result of this?

[@richardclowes7428]

Anyone know the answer?

[@Billy_Rizzle]

More pay (£15 per hour) and safer working conditions.

[@scriptbusters]

Its a good moment for me to practice what MPs do in not answering a question 😮

[@TMH111]

don't know why Coventry staff went on strike. ffs

[@xxcandyxandyxx]

When Israel is asked about their war crimes against Palestine…

[@topofthemornintoya]

like a horrible nightmare

[@adrianmacgrath5814]

The mp asked good questions but he did not prepare for that. All he had to do was bring copies of the strike notice with him .

[@tomward2393]

The irony of an MP getting frustrated with someone answering a question, is the most hypocritical thing I’ve seen

[@adammma1892]

Makes a change, funny now that MPs are annoyed the question isn’t answered. Ofcourse because they adhere to answering the question always. 😂

[@yetidodger6650]

how do politicians expect anyone to answer a question when they refuse to?

[@ltm277]

After what just happened in the US, you would think these corporates would change tac to not come across as so contemptible.

[@Phirebirdphoenix]

this is like me talking to my 93 year old grandma who's had a stroke

[@datkin100]

An mp pushing the point about not answering questions ironically

[@UniversallyFustrated]

There's needs to be a new law that if a company is called before a hearing and evades questions, that companies business licensing is suspended and a per day fine equal to 15% of daily take should be enacted. If they refuse to pay the fine, they force the company to cease trading. They did it to trumps business, why not amazon, apple, Microsoft etc?

[@stringer6435]

imagine if an Amazon employee said il come back to you in writing if they accused them of anything ..

[@privatechannel8462]

So, by refusing to answer the question of why you have answered another question, you can not be a good employer. As you have no idea why the strikes are happening. Which tells me your engagement with your staff is superficial. So moving on, why don't you pay the right tax, who did you bribe to get out of that

[@happyhabitpodcast]

The irony of politcians being stonewalled and not getting a straight answer to a straight question ...

[@connorberry6377]

Jennifer Keaney is baffling - what the hell was she doing?

[@stevepalmer2389]

They've obviously been watching Politicians tactics on how to avoid answering questions!

[@AlphadetailingBennet]

Unbelievable

[@riccardobertagna9388]

I love how this is perfectly acceptable nowadays.

[@vladimirimp]

They earned their biscuit for the day. Another day of the few winning over the many.

[@pnd7727]

This is what happens when you sell your country to the highest bidder.

[@martinmccabe9301]

It's quite simple. As a consumer, stop using them. If you really need something you'll go out and get it.

[@oiputthatback7361]

They either don’t care to know or can’t be bothered to find out why their employees are “ striking “, because in my LIMITED capacity as a non executive of a company ,I understand that people only go on “ STRIKE “, when they are FED UP of working conditions and management has continually failed to listen or take their grievances SERIOUSLY . Strikes instead of management seeing it as disruptive and a pain , it’s a great opportunity to make valuable changes , that will be a betterment for all concerned. Happy workforce better results, they need to stop treating people like fodder .

[@reynoldsmathey]

Why don't you just ask the employees? If the execs won't provide an answer, then provide one for them and put them in the trap of confirming or denying that answer. Answer: the employees are striking b/c they are not being paid enough. Seems fairly straightforward, yet we continue to struggle with ignorance and stupidity at all levels.

There is no moment.

[@bobsocks7575]

Wha can’t they be as vociferous in Parliament when MPs don’t answer questions asked?

[@SheilaPerrett]

Amazon has been taking lessons from Labour as to how not to answer a question!

[@06howea1]

The full thing is available online!

[@calvinmarkdavis]

"I cannot recall to that." 🤦‍♂️

[@garyfrost5831]

These two should be MPs

[@georgek487]

Embarrassing

[@eatexp742]

We all know it, they aren’t paid enough. If they were paid enough they wouldn’t strike

[@jonasdauerbrenner6432]

cant get so emotional with these people. the woman after him asked the question much much better

[@KINGFLX]

Ah yes, this must be the Amazon that does not allow you to cancel prime by the method they give on the website instead you have to contact customer support every time...