hand-sanitizer stations and signs alerting
workers to stay at least 6-feet apart from each
other. It also said that unannounced inspections
in March and April by the New York City sheriff ’s
office found the warehouse went above and
beyond safety requirements.
Amazon fired Smalls in March after he led a
walkout at the Staten Island warehouse to push
the company to better protect its workers from
the virus. Smalls said he was fired in retaliation
and to stop other workers from speaking out.
Amazon said it terminated Smalls because he
violated social-distancing guidelines.
The company argued in court documents that
only the federal government can mandate
COVID-19 safety protocols and that the attorney
general’s office doesn’t have the legal authority
“it purports to wield against Amazon.”
Seattle-based Amazon is asking the court to
stop James from pursuing any action against
the company, and to declare that she doesn’t
have authority on COVID-19 safety measures
or to regulate claims that a worker was
retaliated against.