District of Columbia says Amazon secretly stopped fast deliveries to 2 predominantly Black zip codes

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: AP

Updated 10:17 AM EST, December 4, 2024


The District of Columbia sued Amazon on Wednesday, alleging the company secretly stopped providing its fastest delivery service to residents of two predominantly Black neighborhoods while still charging millions of dollars for a membership that promises the benefit.

The complaint filed in District of Columbia Superior Court revolves around Amazon’s Prime membership, which costs consumers $139 per year or $14.99 per month for fast deliveries — including one-day, two-day and same-day shipments — along with other enhancements.

In mid-2022, the lawsuit alleges, the Seattle-based online retailer imposed what it called a delivery “exclusion” on two low-income zip codes in the district — 20019 and 20020 — and began relying exclusively on third-party delivery services such as UPS and the U.S. Postal Service, rather than its own delivery systems.

Amazon says it made the change based on concerns about driver safety. “There have been specific and targeted acts against drivers delivering Amazon packages” in the two zip codes and the company made the change to “put the safety of delivery drivers first,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a prepared statement.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/amazon-dc-delivery-prime-exclusion-680a15c55f9b64efddbfee93ba7ad8b6

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Meanwhile I expect the same thing happens out in the Montgomery County, MD towns (along with the "porch pirates" ).

[happy feet]

1. Yes

This is happening in Damascus, MD I suspect. Many complaints to Amazon about delayed Prime deliveries.

[marshall]

2. Those drivers know what they signed up for

The policy is to give people fast deliver, and that is what those women and men were hired to do. They can get another job if that bothers them.

[uncledad]

3. Really?

I'm not sure they signed up to get robbed at gun point?

[Angrybob2001]

4. As a one time driver for a couple years

I did not sign up to be robbed, carjacked, harassed. Your response is completely tone-deaf and lacking in compassion or humanity.

[Lulu KC]

6. It was not the drivers' decision, it was Amazon's

For once they cared enough about their employees to help them not be hurt while working.

Now, taking $ for fast delivery while not providing it and not telling the residents about it? Not good--hence the suit. But it was not the drivers who made this decision.

[yardwork]

7. Really?!

[IzzaNuDay]

5. Now that is what I call profiling!

Both zip codes do have some low income areas, but to broad brush the entire community is definitely profiling.
Guess the question is now statistical -- how many specific and targeted acts?