AMAZON is cancelling "hero pay" for its Canadian workforce, despite rising infections in its warehouses - and as CEO Jeff Bezos prepares to become the world's first trillionaire.
The pay was granted in recognition of working in hazardous conditions during the pandemic, and equated to a $2 wage increase and double overtime pay.
The announcement was made in an internal company memo, obtained by PressProgress, and came as a number of workers tested positive in warehouses across the country.
“We are providing a final extension of the temporary $2/hour pay increase and double overtime pay through May 30.”
After that, the memo continues: “we will return to our regular pay and overtime structure.”
On May 1, an outbreak at an Alberta warehouse was declared, after five people tested positive.
Earlier that week, Amazon employees had told CBC News they were scared about coming into work at the facility in Balzac as news about COVID-19 cases were confirmed by the company.
4 Jeff Bezos is set to become the world's first trillionaire Credit: AP:Associated Press
4 Coronavirus cases in Amazon warehouses are still breaking out Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The move follows a similar decision in the US to end warehouse worker extra pay, after spending almost $800 million on incentives to keep employees working through the pandemic.
The pay increases had already been extended twice, but will end in June.
Amazon has raked in money during the pandemic, thanks to people turning to online shopping in lockdown.
Bezos owns an 11.2 per cent stake in Amazon, and his wealth has surged upwards from around $125billion in March.
Claims about his mammoth wealth coincide with Amazon's workforce losing more lives to coronavirus.
4 The pay increases had already been extended twice, but will end in June Credit: Getty Images - Getty
An Amazon warehouse worker in Long Island, New York has become its sixth employee to die from the coronavirus, the company has confirmed.
A group of 13 US attorneys general has asked Amazon to provide data on coronavirus-related deaths and infections among its workforce, along with evidence of the firm’s compliance with paid sick leave laws.
CNBC reports that George Leigh, 59, a dad and grandfather, died of Covid-19 on April 9.
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Amazon spokesperson Lisa Levandowski said: “We are saddened by the loss of an associate who had worked at our site in Bethpage, New York. “His family and loved ones are in our thoughts.” On Tuesday, May 12, officials asked for a state-by-state breakdown of the number of Amazon workers, including those at Whole Foods, who have been infected or died from Covid-19.
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Alpharious123 on May 16th, 2020 at 15:04 UTC »
As an amazon employee I think so long as we have to wear masks we should get our extra pay. I got lucky they extended our pay at my FC in oregon through the end of the month but we also had a confirmed case at our FC
kingbane2 on May 16th, 2020 at 12:47 UTC »
like every other company, they realized they have workers by the balls because unemployment is so high. when this first started they had trouble filling positions. now they're probably flooded with applications. so why pay more when another drone will just take their place.
SmackEh on May 16th, 2020 at 11:28 UTC »
This is why we need to support our local economies. Bezos doesn't need to look at his employees in the eyes..