Tesla Testing Cybercab at Giga Texas: Self-Driving Robotaxi Inches Closer to 2025 Production 
What steps is Donald Trump taking to encourage domestic semiconductor production in 2025? 
Tesla Rolls Out Apple Watch App with Key Access, Frunk Control, and Climate Features Next Week 
Global plastic pollution talks have stalled – but a treaty is possible if countries can agree on these three things 
Social media companies won’t be able to compel people to provide digital or government-issued ID to verify age 
‘UK Economy on Shaky Ground' Ripple Effects from Trump’s Tariff Storm Could Hit Harder Than Predicted 
‘India’s GDP Growth Gamble!’—‘Will Modi’s Big Spending Plan Deliver or Spark an Economic Setback?’ Sparks Outrage! 
Apple Sued for Spying on Workers’ Devices and Silencing Pay Talks in Explosive California Case 
The Reserve Bank of Australia will now have a separate board just to set interest rates. Here’s why that’s significant 
Nintendo Switch 2: January Reveal and March 2025 Launch Rumors Backed by 650K Units Shipped 
Citi Completes Banamex Split, Paving the Way for a 2025 IPO Across Mexico and Wall Street 
Asset managers seek ETF tracking for top-traded crypto for 2025 
Cybertruck Lease Prices Slashed 10% as Tesla Grapples with Demand Drop and Sales Goals 
Baidu Secures Hong Kong’s First Robotaxi Test License, Marking Expansion Beyond Mainland China 
China Slams US Chips as ‘No Longer Safe’ Amid Rising Trade Tensions and Retaliatory Export Bans 
Amazon was probed by the U.S. National Labor Relations after two former employees who helped organize the Amazon Employees for Climate Justice submitted a complaint against the company. Emily Cunningham and Maren Costa were fired, and based on the labor board’s investigation, the two were illegally terminated from their respective jobs.
The fired Amazon workers
As per Reuters, Amazon dismissed Cunningham and Costa in April last year. Prior to their termination, the two accused Jeff Bezos’ company of implementing policies in a discriminatory way. Based on their complaint that was filed in October, they said the rules were vague and restrained workers from exercising rights.
The fired Amazon employees were also known to have questioned the company’s environmental practices and safety protocols amid the pandemic. They suggested that workers, especially those working in warehouses, were not given enough support to protect themselves from being infected with the coronavirus.
Cunningham and Costa also raised funds for warehouse staff who are exposed and at higher risk of contracting COVID-19. After advocating for better working conditions at the height of the pandemic crisis, the two were let go of the company.
Now, as mentioned earlier, the National Labor Board confirmed that the women’s dismissal was illegal. It was reported that the board’s regional director in Seattle will issue a complaint if Amazon and the employees do not settle the case.
Amazon’s response to NLB’s finding
The company released a statement saying that it supports workers’ rights and alleged that Cunnigham and Costa were fired for a reason. Then again, Amazon did not elaborate on what may have pushed it to terminate the women involved.
“We support every employee’s right to criticize their employer’s working conditions, but that does not come with blanket immunity against our internal policies, all of which are lawful,” The New York Times quoted Amazon spokeswoman Jaci Anderson as saying. “We terminated these employees not for talking publicly about working conditions, safety or sustainability but, rather, for repeatedly violating internal policies.”
Meanwhile, the labor board’s finding came out at a sensitive time for Amazon that is waiting for the results of the workers’ vote in Alabama on whether to unionize and make their warehouse the company’s first union in the U.S.
