I'd like to balance all of this concern for the worker with a broader perspective.

Consider that business isn't charity.

If Amazon made a promise to deliver in 2 days, and I'm paying for that benefit, doesn't that mean I have the right to demand that benefit or be compensated? Does a pandemic mean that Amazon has the right to profit at my expense?

Isn't it a bit self-centered to say "Well, I can afford to toss money away on Prime membership without reaping the benefits, therefore anyone can"? What about those who rely on Prime membership and use it heavily but aren't rich enough to waste money on a service that isn't provided?

Now if normal delivery endangers the health and lives of deliverymen, then would it not make sense to ask for compensation from Amazon?

Only if your refund doesn't go to you but directly in the pockets of the workers, then yes.

Why would I pay Amazon's workers for not delivering on managements promise? The entrepreneur should pay. Management should pay the workers to work, and only take money from customers for services delivered as promised. If Prime prices go up after current contracts expire, that's fine. Jeff Bezos doesn't need my charity.

HN bubble in full effect right here. Congrats on your privileged life right now friend.

Amazon's treatment of its physical laborers resembles a high tech version of early 20th century factory labor. It is frankly surprising they have not had some kind of modern equivalent of the Triangle Shirtwaist fire.

It's the height of demagoguery to support your argument with evidence that you freely admit doesn't exist. Do you have any evidence that Amazon is anywhere near as dangerous as a crowded locked room with no fire safety machinery?

Yeah, I do. But you seem to be more interested in preemptive accusations and frankly I don't have time for that kind of a "discussion". I don't expect to convince you, and I don't care to. Cheers!

Wow - it’s like a rage quit!

Lol I assure you, there was no rage. Just protecting my time. :)

Racing around a hot warehouse for miles a day while a handheld device counts down the seconds before you risk losing your job while you try to hold it in because you can't afford a bathroom break does not sound like a good blue collar job to me.

It's dehumanizing.

People consider coal mining to be a good blue collar job, and I bet it's 100x worse.

Coal mine owners also abuse their employees for profit, but this is about Amazon.

If the worst thing you can say about a job is that you might lose it, maybe it's a good job -- probably the best job. They aren't trapped in a farm in a company town getting ripped off by the company store where they can't leave for 3months. They aren't visa hostages. It seems your criticism of Amazon should be leveled at every single other employer offering worse.

Sounds like a good idea. This time the discussion is about Amazon.

Welcome to blue collar life.

"This is normal" is a long way from "this is okay." Don't mistake frustration at the status quo for ignorance about the status quo.

Sounds like you actually do "see physical labor as hell" as I semi jokingly suggested.

Or is it maybe all employment work?

[I'm only 1/4 sarcastic and 3/4 actually curious.]

Excuse me but did you just call me an academic?