Rantz: Dem senator slams Amazon staffing decision, but forces own staff to brave coronavirus

State Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines) criticized Amazon for sending home some of their workers at HQ, while keeping their janitors, warehouse attendants and delivery drivers at work, despite the threat of coronavirus. Weird, since Keiser is working at a “regular office staff” in Olympia.

Amazon recommended their Seattle-area workers telecommute for the entire month of March “if their job can be done from home.” This is done so that Amazon doesn’t come to a standstill, which could have rippling economic effects locally and nationally.

But Keiser, champion of the working people, slammed Amazon because their warehouse workers “can’t work from home.”

Correct. They can’t. But some of Keiser’s staff can work from home. But they’re not.

Amazon employees that work in its Seattle area warehouses aka "fulfillment centers" can't work from home. Delivery drivers can't work from home. Janitors at Amazon office buildings can't work from home. Think about it. #CoronaVirusSeattle https://t.co/gkrTieSY7c

— Karen Keiser (@KarenKeiser1) March 5, 2020

The virtue signal con

Keiser wants you to know she cares about workers — just not their employers.

She’s actually mad that Amazon is following Department of Health guidance on permitting personnel to work from home, if they can, to help stem the tide of coronavirus. They’re doing right by their employees. And they’re not, as Keiser weirdly implies, forcing janitorial staff to work while sick. Indeed, the work they’re doing could help keep people healthy.

At the same time, her office is operating at regular capacity.

I called Keiser’s office moments ago and asked about whether or not the staff was taking some time off over coronavirus concerns. I was told they’re “operating at regular office staff.”

When it comes to Amazon, Keiser tells us how much she cares deeply about the delivery drivers and warehouse workers and janitors. When it comes to her staff? Get to the office and answer the phones! To borrow Keiser’s demand: “Think about it.”‘

Perhaps Keiser should stay home, herself, and save Washington state from her dumpster fire voting record?

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