FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 6, 2020

Contact: Chelsea Connor | cconnor@rwdsu.org | 347-866-6259

AMAZON DATA STATEMENT FROM RWDSU PRESIDENT STUART APPELBAUM

(NEW YORK, NY) –  In response to today’s leak of how Amazon tracks worker, union and community group data using a new technology system called the geoSPatial Operating Console (SPOC), Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) issued the following statement: 

“Today’s leak sheds light on the horrendous data mining work we’ve known Amazon was capable of for far too long – it’s disturbing on every conceivable level.  

“It’s one thing to track a shopper’s internet activity to best market a pair of shoes to them; but it’s another when your intent is to control the minds of your workforce. Amazon’s tracking of workers’ micro-movements, decision points and searches and then linking all of that data to that of unions, community groups and legislative policy campaigns is union busting on its face.  It is an attempt to silence a workforce experiencing some of the most egregious workplace hazards we’ve ever seen. 

“Workers have rights in this country. And it’s inexcusable for Amazon, or any company to spy on workers to keep them from exercising these rights.” 

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 The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) represents 100,000 members throughout the United States. The RWDSU is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). For more information, please visit our website at www.rwdsu.org, Facebook:/RWDSU.UFCW Twitter:@RWDSU.