Amazon denies it underpays its workers, spies on staff and blocks unions

Amazon Australia has rejected claims it underpays delivery drivers, spies on workers and blocks unions from attending warehouses.

Senators grilled Amazon’s public policy director Michael Cooley at a Senate inquiry investigating job security on Thursday.

Mr Cooley said Amazon Flex drivers, who use their own sedans to pick up parcels, received a minimum of $108 for four hours, putting them slightly above the rate set in owner-driver laws.

He said the average was $120 for four hours because of surge pricing.

‘No one who works for Amazon gets paid below the minimum wage, we say that categorically,’ he told the hearing.

Senators grilled Amazon’s public policy director Michael Cooley at a Senate inquiry investigating job security on Thursday (pictured Amazon warehouse workers)

Labor senator Tony Sheldon detailed incidents in which union officials gave advance warning and showed up with right-of-entry passes only to be met by police.

Mr Cooley said he wasn’t aware that had occurred but insisted the company had an open-door policy for staff to raise complaints.

‘We respect our employees’ rights to join or not join unions without fear or retaliation, intimidation or harassment,’ he said.

‘Unions are welcome to enter our sites in accordance with their legal entitlements in Australia which they exercise on a regular basis.’

Transport Workers Union secretary Michael Kaine said delivery drivers refused to appear at the inquiry out of fear of retribution.

‘Amazon is trying to cover up a system that is exploiting drivers,’ he said.

‘These characters in Amazon will only comply with laws when they’re caught red-handed.’

Mr Kaine said the minimum pay of $108 an hour for four hours left drivers with less than $3 an hour to meet fuel, car, insurance, annual leave and superannuation costs.

‘Clearly that is against the law in Australia. That is an unfair contract,’ he said.

Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association NSW secretary Bernie Smith said people were sacked for speaking up about workplace issues.

He said a woman was racially and religiously vilified by a colleague who admitted he was doing it.

She was then sacked for breaching confidentiality after telling another worker she didn’t feel supported by the company.

Online retail giant Amazon has denied claims they underpaid delivery drivers, spied on workers and blocked unions from attending warehouses

Amazon’s public policy director Michael Cooley denied the claims, before revealing staff surveys revealed 83 per cent of workers would tell friends and family the company was a great place to work

Mr Smith said the incident had now been resolved but he spoke about a culture of fear among employees associated with unions.

Mr Cooley said Amazon used surveillance to maintain security and keep employees, building and inventory safe.

‘Any attempt to sensationalise these activities or suggest that we’re doing something unusual or wrong is incorrect,’ he said.

Mr Cooley pointed to staff surveys which found 83 per cent of workers would tell friends and family the company was a great place to work.

He said Amazon was ‘proud’ flex drivers were allowed to earn money from other sources but denied they should be given rights and entitlements of employees.

‘They’re not workers, they’re independent contractors.’