“This is the third building this week alone,” Smalls wrote. “@amazonlabor will have updates shortly we’re currently gathering more information from our leads on the ground.”
“The site was evacuated and the local fire department responded to the scene,” Flaningan added.
“After a preliminary investigation, fire department officials declared the building safe for use. Out of an abundance of caution, we sent night shift employees home with pay and cancelled Thursday’s day shift. These employees will also be paid.
“We are grateful for the swift actions of first responders and the employees who handled the situation appropriately.”
Flaningan previously told Newsweek that there was “a small fire in a cardboard compactor” at the JFK8 fulfilment center.
Flaningan said day-shift employees were sent home with pay, but the company had asked all those working the night shift to report to work on Monday after the New York Fire Department certified the building as safe.
“While the vast majority of employees reported to their workstations, a small group refused to return to work and remained in the building without permission,” Flaningan said.
Union organizers said more than 100 workers concerned about fumes from the fire held a protest at the facility’s office, demanding to be sent home with pay.
“Instead of addressing concerns of health and safety putting workers on paid suspension was their response,” Smalls wrote in a tweet. “Shame on them!”
