Essential workers who stock grocery store shelves, fill online orders and deliver packages to American homes staged a general strike on Friday.
The unprecedented coalition of workers for Amazon, Instacart, Whole Foods, Walmart, Target, Shipt and FedEx demanded hazard pay, better access to personal protective equipment on the job and an expanded ability to stay home with pay if they feel sick.
In the current crisis, people who work in delivery and fulfillment centers have become essential employees for millions of Americans working and learning at home. These are low-wage jobs in a country where wage growth has been stagnant for years.
Although companies have initiated some new safety policies, many workers believe they could be doing more, particularly as online orders are surging. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ personal fortune has grown by $24 billion during the pandemic so far, bringing it to a mind-numbing $138 billion. He has been the world’s richest person since 2017. (Amazon also owns Whole Foods.)
Meanwhile, people who work at Amazon, Whole Foods, Target and other companies are demanding hazard pay of around $5 per order for putting their lives on the line, according to a press release about the strikes. Those unable to work from home are at a greater risk of contracting the virus, which could potentially land them in the hospital for weeks and stick them with burdensome medical bills. | 
