Amazon’s Labor Violations Caused Unnecessary Deaths. Voters Want to Hold Them Accountable.

By David Guirgis

Less than a month ago, a spate of deadly tornadoes struck several states in the South and Midwest over the course of a single night, devastating homes and killing at least 88 people. Among those killed was Larry Virden. He was an Amazon worker in Edwardsville, Ill., and as tornado sirens blared across the city, he texted his girlfriend, “Amazon won’t let us leave.” That was the last text he sent her; soon after, a tornado struck the facility, killing him and five others. 

His story isn’t unique to that night. Workers at a candle factory in Kentucky allege similar management abuses: After managers threatened to fire them for leaving, a tornado struck that facility as well, killing eight. 

To be clear, these are labor violations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating them as such — and new Data for Progress polling finds that Americans across the political spectrum believe companies like Amazon should be held accountable.

When asked outright if companies like Amazon should be held accountable if their employees are injured or die from natural disasters because they were unable to leave their workplace, 71 percent of likely voters polled said yes. This includes 80 percent of Democrats and 71 percent of self-identifying Independents. By a +36-point margin, Republicans also agree. 

When presented with details about the warehouse incidents in Illinois and Kentucky, overall support jumps 9 points to 80 percent, while Republican support jumps 11 points; three out of every four Republicans surveyed now want to hold companies like Amazon accountable for these kinds of workplace safety violations. 

Amazon has a consistent history of labor violations, and its treatment of workers in the midst of a deadly tornado in one of its facilities is no exception. OSHA’s investigation into Amazon’s misconduct is the first step toward accountability — and it’s clear that voters across the country want that accountability from companies that prioritize profit over the safety of their employees.