I know it’s a year away but hear me out CAZ5!!!
Why I Don’t Support the Proposed 10 Hour Schedule
I understand the appeal of working four 10 hour shifts and having three days off. On paper, it sounds like a great opportunity for better work life balance. But when you look at the entire proposal, I believe Amazon stands to benefit more than the associates.
First, we’re being asked to work longer days without receiving overtime until we exceed 10 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. Amazon gets two additional hours of regular rate labor per scheduled day compared to an 8 hour shift, while associates take on longer physically demanding workdays.
Second, the biggest selling point is having three days off. However, Amazon would still have the ability to assign Mandatory Extra Time with just one week’s notice. That means the additional day off isn’t necessarily guaranteed. Associates could arrange childcare, family activities, appointments, or other commitments around their new schedule, only to have those plans disrupted by MET.
Third, holiday pay would remain at 8 hours even though our scheduled workdays would increase to 10 hours. If Amazon closes for a holiday that falls on our scheduled workday, we’re potentially losing two hours of regular earnings. If we’re expected to commit to a 10 hour schedule, why shouldn’t our holiday pay reflect those 10 hours?
We also need to consider the physical demands of our jobs. Working in a warehouse is physically exhausting. Adding two hours to every scheduled workday could increase fatigue, especially toward the end of a shift. That raises legitimate concerns about safety, productivity, and overall employee well-being.
I’m not against change, and I understand that some associates would genuinely benefit from having three days off. But I believe any major schedule change should provide meaningful benefits and protections for both Amazon and its employees.
Before supporting this proposal, I would want to see guaranteed protections for our three days off, holiday pay that reflects our scheduled shift length, and a clearer explanation of how this change benefits associates beyond simply rearranging the same 40 hours.
Three days off sound great, but if Amazon can take one of those days back through MET, while keeping holiday pay at 8 hours and extending our regular workdays to 10, are associates really getting the better deal?
That’s why I would vote no on the proposal as it currently stands.
