Global tech brand accused of monitoring union activity by workers
Leaked documents alleging a system of global monitoring of Amazon’s workers has sparked concerns over the flaws in Australia’s surveillance laws.
Vice News published a report citing alleged surveillance of union activity detailed within two-dozen leaked documents written by Amazon’s Global Security Operations Centre.
The documents were written in 2019 and allegedly refer to security operations at Amazon sites around the world – including Australia.
HRD has not seen the documents but they allegedly contain details of analysts closely monitoring the activity of unionised staff members.
The report also claimed Amazon hired operatives from Pinkerton – a US detective agency known for infiltrating unions and using violent tactics to intimidate workers involved in industrial action.
Read more: Class actions on the rise: What employers need to know
When contacted by HRD, a spokesman for Amazon said: “Like any other responsible business, we maintain a level of security within our operations to help keep our employees, buildings, and inventory safe.
“That includes having an internal investigations team who work with law enforcement agencies as appropriate, and all activities we undertake are fully in line with local laws.
“Any attempt to sensationalise these activities or suggest we’re doing something unusual or wrong is irresponsible and incorrect.”
The claims raise questions over the current flaws in New South Wales’ digital surveillance laws, which lag behind those in Europe.
HRD spoke to Bernie Smith, New South Wales secretary of the Sales, Distribution and Allied Employees union which represents Amazon workers in Australia.
“One of the real problems with the law that deals with activity monitoring in NSW is that it may now be happening in a completely different part of the world,” he said.
“The current laws around workplace surveillance haven’t kept up with technology.”
The Workplace Surveillance Act covers various forms of monitoring and has made it illegal to undertake both overt and covert surveillance of employees without their knowledge, unless it is granted by a court.
Read more: Sacking an employee who criticises your client is not unfair dismissal, says Federal Court
An inquiry is currently taking place in NSW into the future of work and the role technology will play.
The SDA has made submissions over the flawed laws around workplace surveillance and how advances in technology have made it easier than ever to carry out monitoring from another country where the laws are different.
“We might see some legislative reforms as a result of that inquiry and we will be pushing for that,” Smith said.
Earlier this year, Amazon announced it would be opening a new advanced storage and distribution centre in Western Sydney which is set to employ at least 2,000 people.
Covering 200,000 square metres, the facility is expected to be the largest fulfilment centre built in Australia and will be the first in the southern hemisphere to use Amazon’s robotics equipment.
