The streaming platform Twitch aired ads from Amazon in the state of Alabama, which campaigned against the formation of a union locally. After streamers protested against the ads, they have now been discontinued.
These were the ads: They feature Amazon employees speaking out against the introduction of a union in Bessemer, Alabama.
About 5,800 employees work in a huge Amazon warehouse there. Employees started a few months ago to establish a union to protest against the working conditions they feel are poor.
In one ad, an Amazon employee from another location says:
“We have great leadership. We really don’t need anyone coming in and telling us what they want to give us. Because we actually have everything we need.”
From an Amazon ad
The ad encourages people to “Vote No.” Thus, the clip clearly aims to prevent the establishment of a union.
Twitch streamers criticize “disgusting advertising”
This was the reaction from the streamers: After it became known that such ads were shown to viewers in Alabama on Twitch, there were loud protests from the streamers.
The streamer Saira said (via twitter): “That Amazon airs such anti-union ads is disgusting and abhorrent. I will not show ads in my streams anymore until I can choose the spots myself. Please use AdBlock on my channel. The chat will entertain you while you watch the purple screen.”
Streamer Malik Forté said (via twitter): It is downright sadistic that Amazon spends so much money to prevent the formation of a union. Twitch should stand on the side of the workers.
Twitch bans Amazon ads: Should have never aired
This is Twitch’s response: They clarified in a statement to Kotaku (via Kotaku):
“Twitch does not allow political advertising and these ads should never have aired on our platform. We have removed this advertising and will review our review process to ensure that similar content is not shown in the future. We are grateful to the community for bringing this case to our attention.”
Twitch Statement
“You work like a robot”
What is the union aiming for? It aims to protect the interests of the workers, especially regarding workplace safety and to secure better protection against dismissal.
A report from The Guardian states (via The Guardian): In the warehouse in Bessemer, video monitors dictate to employees what they must do every minute. A warehouse worker must move 315 items an hour, 5 items a minute.
An Amazon employee is quoted:
“You run all the time. You have no time to look around. You are treated like a number and not like a person. You work like a robot.”
Darryl Richardson
The pay of $15.55 an hour (12.82 €) is also considered too low compared to similar jobs in the region.
This is what Amazon says: In a statement to The Guardian, an Amazon spokesperson highlights:
- Amazon offers some of the best jobs available wherever they are hiring
- the starting salary of $15.30 in Bessemer is double the minimum wage of $7.25
- they also offer many additional benefits in health and retirement
- in fact, Amazon would already provide everything that unions demand for employees
Amazon acquired Twitch seven years ago, but only in recent months has the company’s influence become more noticeable. Because Twitch is suddenly adjusting its advertising strategy, which is angering streamers and viewers:
1.8 million watch PS5 event on Twitch – But new forced ads are really annoying
