Amazon is increasing wages for its contract delivery drivers as pressure from labor unions continues to grow. This move comes amid the tech giant grappling with unionization efforts at some of their warehouses. The specifics of the wage hike are still not clear, but the decision caught the public eye given the ongoing dialogue about warehouse workers’ rights and privileges.
Contract delivery drivers, who are collectively known as Flex drivers, work on their schedules, unlike regular Amazon drivers. These drivers pick up parcels from Amazon warehouses and deliver them to customers, getting paid per delivery.
This wage hike comes at a time of rising scrutiny over Amazon’s treatment of its workers. Amazon’s labor practices have come under the spotlight due to recent efforts by some of its Alabama warehouse workers to unionize – a move that Amazon has actively opposed. This wage increase seems to be a part of Amazon’s response to these concerns.
However, while this may seem like a positive step, some critics argue that Amazon’s move is nothing more than a PR stunt. They argue that the problem lies not just with low wages but also with problematic working conditions, especially in Amazon’s warehouses.
Therefore, while the wage hike may help workers financially, Amazon still faces skepticism and a level of criticism regarding its labor practices. The company will need to address these issues and improve work conditions to alleviate these concerns further, amid growing pressures from labor unions.
