Republicans wanting disaster assistance for their states -- and only for their states

[lpetrich]

There is another issue about these tornadoes.

Kentucky tornado: Factory workers threatened with firing if they left before tornado, employees say

As a catastrophic tornado approached this city Friday, employees of a candle factory — which would later be destroyed — heard the warning sirens and wanted to leave the building. But at least five workers said supervisors warned employees that they would be fired if they left their shifts early.

For hours, as word of the coming storm spread, as many as 15 workers beseeched managers to let them take shelter at their own homes, only to have their requests rebuffed, the workers said.

Fearing for their safety, some left during their shifts regardless of the repercussions.

At least eight people died in the Mayfield Consumer Products factory, which makes scented candles. The facility was leveled, and all that is left is rubble. Photos and videos of its widespread mangled remains have become symbols of the enormous destructive power of Friday’s tornado system.

Ouch!

Amazon worker deaths in tornados raise questions about tornado training and cellphone policy - "After six workers died, workers complained of little tornado preparation and pushed back against rules saying they can’t use phones at work."

“We have never had any tornado drills, nor had we sheltered in place for any of the warnings we’ve had in the past,” said a woman who has worked for the past two years at STL8, another Amazon facility about 66 miles west of Edwardsville, and is not authorized to speak publicly. She added that during two previous tornado warnings during her overnight shift, she was expected to continue working even when the company sounded alarms.

But Alisa Carroll, a company spokeswoman, said “emergency response training is provided to new employees and that training is reinforced throughout the year.”

...
The collapse has only stirred the anger of Amazon workers across the country who have been trying to unionize. Chris Smalls, a former Amazon employee who leads the Amazon Labor Union, an independent effort to organize warehouse staff members, said in a statement that the collapse shows that workers need a labor union.

“The needless deaths were a reminder of Amazon keeping shifts going during other disasters, such as at the Staten Island facility during Hurricane Ida,” he said.

And some people claim to be surprised that some other people do not love and adore and worship business leaders.

 

[lpetrich]

Cori Bush on Twitter: "“Amazon won’t let us leave.”

Two of my constituents were killed alongside Larry Virden when Amazon failed to keep them safe during a tornado.

How can a company that’s worth $1.7 trillion be unable to protect its workers during a storm? We are demanding answers." / Twitter
More Perfect Union on Twitter: "Horrifying details are emerging ..." / Twitter

Horrifying details are emerging about the tornado disaster at Amazon's warehouse in Illinois, where at least 6 workers were killed on the job.

Before he died, Larry Virden reportedly texted his girlfriend: "Amazon won’t let us leave." He leaves behind four children.

29-year old Clayton Cope rushed to save the lives of his co-workers and warn them about the tornado. He was killed when the warehouse collapsed.

"At least I did get to say I love you," his mother told the local news.

The disaster calls into question some of Amazon's key business practices.

Only 7 of 190 people working at the facility were full-time staff.

Amazon’s dependence on contractors allows them to avoid liability for accidents and undercut union organizing.

Amazon workers are also decrying the company's ban on people carrying their phones on the job, leaving them unable to get updates or contact people during emergencies.

"After these deaths, there is no way in hell I am relying on Amazon to keep me safe."

Amazon workers are demanding change and accountability. This is Darryl Richardson, one of the leading organizers of the effort to unionize Amazon in Bessemer, Alabama: - "We can't keep letting Amazon get Away with the way they are treating employees, something got to change."

Amazon executives sent “thoughts and prayers” to its warehouse workers while forcing them to work through a deadly tornado.

Why didn’t they send Amazon workers home and out of harm’s way? - "Thoughts and prayers going out to our team in Edwardsville tonight and thank you to all the first responders."

Amazon has repeatedly forced its workers to keep working through life-threatening natural disasters.

"This is another outrageous example of the company putting profits over the health and safety of their workers," said Stuart Appelbaum of @RWDSU.

45 people were rescued from the Amazon facility in addition to the 6 who lost their lives.

OSHA has now opened an investigation into the fatal warehouse collapse.

OSHA opens probe into deadly Amazon warehouse collapse in Illinois

Brian Kahn on Twitter: "This is the third time in six months Amazon workers have been working in the path of deadly weather. Warehouse workers also had to go in during record-smashing heat in the PNW and the deadly Ida floods in NYC. Just like those disaster, last night’s tornadoes were well forecast" / Twitter

 

[Patooka]

This thread makes it sound like they are unique in this.

Nazis don't have a monopoly on anti-semitism either, but it's kinda what their known for. I understand how it is difficult for Republicans to grasp this, I've mentioned something similar before.