New York City Comptroller Brad Lander Praises Amazon’s Workers For Exercising Their Freedom to Unionize

In a video message to Amazon workers, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander praised Amazon workers who are exercising their freedom to come together into unions to negotiate for a fair return on their work. He explained that the company and its shareholders, as well as workers’ pension plans, will benefit over the long term by treating workers well.

At Amazon’s shareholder meeting on May 25, Lander joined New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs to urge a vote against Amazon Director Judith McGrath. McGrath had refused to meet with the New York City Employees’ Retirement System and other investors to discuss Amazon’s treatment of its workforce.

Director McGrath chairs the board of director’s Leadership Development and Compensation Committee that awarded Amazon CEO Andy Jassy $212 million in 2021 total compensation, an amount that is 6,474 times Amazon’s median employee pay of $32,855. More than 20% of Amazon’s shareholders withheld their vote from McGrath. Click here to learn more.