AMAZON.COM, INC. | Respect for Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining at AMAZON.COM, INC.

Status
34.91% votes in favour
AGM date
Previous AGM date
Proposal number
16
Resolution details
Company ticker
AMZN
Lead filer
SHARE - Shareholder Association for Research & Education
Co-filers
CCLA Investment Management
Resolution ask
Conduct due diligence, audit or risk/impact assessment
ESG theme
  • Social
ESG sub-theme
  • Decent work
Type of vote
Shareholder proposal
Filer type
Shareholder
Company sector
Consumer Discretionary
Company HQ country
United States
Supporting materials
  • Exempt solicitation_Amazon_resolution 16.pdf Download
Resolved clause
RESOLVED: Shareholders urge the Board of Directors to commission an independent, third- party assessment of Amazon’s adherence to its stated commitment to workers’ freedom of association and collective bargaining rights as outlined in Amazon’s Global Human Rights Principles, which explicitly reference the Core Conventions of the International Labour Organization and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The assessment should address management non-interference when employees exercise their right to form or join a trade union as well as steps to remedy any practices inconsistent with Amazon’s stated commitments. The assessment, prepared at reasonable expense and omitting confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information, should be publicly disclosed on Amazon’s website by November 30, 2023.
Supporting statement
Supporting Statement:
Amazon states, “we respect and support the Core Conventions of the International Labour Organization and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work” and says it respects workers’ right to join or form a union “without fear of reprisal, intimidation, or harassment,”1 an important recognition that the fulfilment of these rights is conditioned by how employers choose to respond to union organizing efforts.
According to the ILO, “freedom of association refers to the right of workers [...] to create and join organizations of their choice freely and without fear of reprisal or interference” and collective bargaining “allows workers to negotiate their working conditions freely with their employers.”
For years, Amazon has faced overwhelming negative media coverage2 in the US and internationally3 accusing the company of interfering with workers’ exercise of their rights through anti-unionization tactics4 including allegations of intimidation5, retaliation6 and surveillance7. On multiple occasions, US regulators and courts have ruled that Amazon violated labor laws and ordered remedies, including rerun union elections8, the reinstatement of terminated workers9, and an order to cease and desist discharging workers in retaliation for union organizing.10
In response to investor concerns, Amazon published a report on its human rights commitment in 202211 which details Amazon’s approach to these fundamental rights. While this report references both ILO conventions, it fails to explain whether and how Amazon’s human rights policies and practices align with these international standards or its own commitments.
The apparent misalignment between Amazon’s commitment and its reported conduct represents reputational and operational risks and may negatively impact Amazon's long-term performance. A respect to human rights can create a motivated workforce that provides management with critical and timely information that helps to reduce workplace accidents, improve training, and boost employee morale and corporate culture, thus boosting productivity and ultimately shareholder value.12
An independent assessment would help investors assess Amazon’s adherence to its human rights commitments.
1 https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/governance/amazon-global-human-rights-principles
2 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/16/technology/amazon-unions-virginia.html
3 https://novaramedia.com/2022/10/18/inside-the-fight-for-the-uks-first-formal-amazon-warehouse-strike/; https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/sep/30/trade-unions-urge-eu-to-investigate-amazon-effort-to- spy-on-workers
4 https://pressprogress.ca/amazons-anti-union-tactics-around-the-world-show-what-canadian-warehouse- workers-are-up-against/
5 https://nypost.com/2021/04/19/amazon-used-illegal-intimidation-tactics-in-ala-vote-union/
6 https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/fired-interrogated-disciplined-amazon-warehouse- organizers-allege-year-retaliation-n1262367
7 https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/24/how-amazon-prevents-unions-by-surveilling-employee-activism.html
8 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/29/business/amazon-bessemer-alabama-election.html
9 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/18/business/amazon-protest-firing-ruling.html
10 https://www.nlrb.gov/news-outreach/news-story/nlrb-region-29-wins-federal-court-order-requiring-amazon- to-cease-and
11 https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/policy-news-views/amazons-human-rights-commitment-policy-and- practice
12 https://www.ipa-involve.com/involvement-and-productivity-the-missing-piece-of-the-puzzle; https://doi.org/10.1111/bjir.12662

How other organisations have declared their voting intentions

Organisation name Declared voting intentions Rationale
EFG Asset Management For A vote FOR this proposal is warranted. Shareholders would benefit from increased transparency and disclosure on
how the company is managing human rights-related risks.
Kutxabank Gestion SGIIC SAU. For
Anima Sgr For As shareholders would benefit from increased disclosure and transparency, in order to comprehensively assess how the company is managing human rights-related risks, especially regarding freedom of association issues in its warehouse operations in the U.S. and abroad. Shareholders would also benefit from increased disclosure with regard to freedom of association restrictions in high-risk sourcing countries. An independent assessment may also help shareholders better evaluate the substance of the company's claims against the NLRB.
VidaCaixa For
Rothschild & co Asset Management For

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