Amazon workers speak out about a crackdown on organizing

Workers have doubts about Amazon limiting its employees’ internal communications with each other. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [View on the web]( [Recode]( [Click to view images]( [Amazon is cracking down on internal communication after a surge in worker activism]( Days before a massive walkout planned for May 1, Amazon's IT department notified employees managing internal company listservs that moderators would need to pre-approve any messages. The company says this is an internal audit to enforce old rules. Employees who spoke to Recode, however, feel like it's a concerted effort to silence workers. The timing is certainly suspicious. In recent weeks, workers at Amazon warehouses around the country have been protesting working conditions during the pandemic, demanding greater pay, access to protective gear, and more generous time-off policies. It was over these company listservs that many of Amazon's corporate employees expressed dismay over the conditions. Recode's Shirin Ghaffary and Jason Del Rey spoke to a number of Amazon employees about the company's recent crackdown on internal communications. Some are worried this is the beginning of “a very different dynamic” at the company. [Click to view images]( [A scramble for virus apps that do no harm]( Dozens of tracking apps for smartphones are being used or developed to help contain the coronavirus pandemic. But there are worries about privacy and hastily written software. [ Jennifer Valentino-DeVries, Natasha Singer and Aaron Krolik / [New York Times]( ] [Click to view images]( [Most Americans are not willing or able to use an app tracking coronavirus infections]( That’s a problem for Big Tech’s plan to slow the pandemic. [ Craig Timberg, Drew Harwell, and Alauna Safarpour / [Washington Post]( ] [Click to view images]( [Does it matter that the DOD released those UFO videos?]( The Department of Defense isn't admitting that aliens exist. But apparently they don’t mind if you check out their sweet rides. [ Daniel Oberhaus / [Wired]( ] [Click to view images]( [Why summer likely won’t save us from the coronavirus]( Summer weather could help slow the coronavirus. But it’s likely not enough. [ German Lopez / [Vox]( ] [Click to view images]( [People are using Facebook more than ever during the coronavirus pandemic — but its business is still taking a hit]( The company says it’s seeing less money coming in from advertisers. [ Shirin Ghaffary / [Recode]( ] [This is Cool Section Title] [The uncanny meme generator you never knew you wanted]( [Facebook]( Twitter [Instagram]( [Recode by Vox]( This email was sent to {EMAIL}. Manage your [email preferences](, or [unsubscribe]( to stop receiving emails from Vox Media. View our [Privacy Notice]( and our [Terms of Service](. Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2020. All rights reserved.