House Committee Opens Investigation Into Amazon's Labor Practices.

The House Committee on Oversight and Reform has opened an investigation into Amazon's labor practices during severe weather events, according to a letter members sent to Andy Jassy, Amazon's chief executive. From a report: "We are concerned by recent reports that Amazon may be putting the health and safety of its workers at risk, including by requiring them to work in dangerous conditions during tornadoes, hurricanes and other extreme weather," said the letter, signed by the committee chairwoman, Carolyn B. Maloney, as well as Representatives Cori Bush and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The investigation will focus on the December tornado that hit Amazon's delivery station in Edwardsville, Ill., killing six people. Most people at the facility were not Amazon's direct employees. They were subcontracted delivery drivers, a complication that impeded the response when the authorities could not readily determine how many people were on site. The facility did not have a tornado safe room, which was not required by building code. At least one subcontracted driver was told to keep delivering during the storm, according to text messages Bloomberg News published.

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