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Legislation could bring more protections for workers rights

ALBANY, NY (WENY)--WAREHOUSE AND RETAIL WORKERS IN THE EMPIRE STATE COULD SEE MORE PROTECTIONS IN THEIR WORKPLACE, PENDING THE GOVERNOR’S REVIEW OF TWO WORKERS RIGHTS BILLS.
ONE bill WOULD REQUIRE RETAIL EMPLOYERS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO PREVENT WORKPLACE VIOLENCE.
ANOTHER bill—CALLED THE WAREHOUSE WORKER INJURY REDUCTION ACT—WOULD ESTABLISH AN INJURY REDUCTION PROGRAM.
ONE AMAZON WAREHOUSE WORKER, WHO’S BEEN INJURED TWICE IN THE ONE YEAR HE HAS WORKED FOR AMAZON, SAYS THIS BILL COULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT.
“I got struck in the back of the neck by a box. I was in a dark trailer by myself when that happened,” said Keith Williams, Amazon warehouse worker.
WILLIAMS SAid HE DIDN’T FEEL HIS HEALTH WAS PRIORITIZED AFTER HE WAS HURT.
“I stayed there in pain for over an hour before I was able to leave to go to urgent care, to make sure that they had all the reports that they needed,” he said.
ANOTHER WAREHOUSE WORKER SAid NOT ONLY IS THE JOB VERY TOUGH—AS IT COMES WITH A LOT OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL STRESS—BUT THE PRODUCTIVITY expectations OFTEN PUT WORKERS IN COMPROMISING SITUATIONS.
“We’re constantly put in situations where we have to morally jeopardize our safety in order to provide productivity for our employer,” said Isaiah Brooks, Amazon Warehouse Worker.
A SPOKESPERSON FROM AMAZON SAid THE COMPANY WORKS HARD TO MAINTAIN A SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT -- AND THAT THEY’RE COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TO MAKE PROGRESS IN THAT REGARD.
"While we’re not perfect, we’re proud of our progress and won’t stop until we’re the safest company in our respective industries," said spokesperson Maureen Lynch Vogel.
Amazon also said they have allocated this year alone over $750 million on additional safety intitiatives and programs.
BOTH BROOKS AND WILLIAMS SAid THIS LEGISLATION, IF SIGNED, WOULD HELP THAT PROGRESS AND ULTIMATELY REDUCE INJURIES.