Coronavirus

How Walkouts at Amazon Mirror Retail Strikes Through History

Workers have long fought to prove their value to society. They’re trying again now

Striker workers at Amazon and other retailers — Striking warehouse workers follow a long line of retail employees who have fought for better working conditions.Photo Illustration: Trent Joaquin; Source: Getty Images

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As the coronavirus pandemic continues, so do reports of protests among the essential workers at companies like Amazon, Whole Foods, Instacart and Target who are now a critical link between consumers and the goods they need at home.

For its part, Amazon says it is taking “extreme measures” to keep workers—whom it calls “heroes”—safe. But the retail employees who still go out into the public to pack and ship orders say those measures are not enough.

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