Social distancing is “discouraged” at a Brooklyn Whole Foods warehouse where six workers have tested positive for COVID-19 since October, according to former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich.
“I hear at least 6 workers at Amazon’s Whole Foods warehouse in Industry City, Brooklyn have tested positive for COVID since October 22nd,” Reich, now a Berkeley professor, tweeted Sunday night.
“Safe social distancing is not just ignored but discouraged. The richest man in America couldn’t care less about his workers. Make a ruckus.”
A spokesperson for Whole Foods Market denied Reich’s accusations that safety is being discouraged.
“There is no higher priority for us than the health and safety of our Team Members. Suggestions that we discourage safe practices are completely false,” the spokesperson said.
“Our extensive safety measures, including social distancing protocols, are regularly audited to ensure compliance and we are working closely with local health and food safety authorities.”
Any time a Whole Food worker gets infected with the coronavirus, the company confirmed it informs employees and conducts contact tracing and enhanced cleaning.
Amazon, which owns Whole Foods, announced in early October that nearly 20,000 of its front-line workers at both companies were either infected with the coronavirus or presumed to be COVID-19 positive since the onset of the pandemic, according to CNN.
Last Spring, coronavirus cases among workers at a Staten Island Amazon distribution center led to two labor protests at the facility over the tech giant’s handling of the illness.
It was reported last April that up to 25 workers had tested positive at the location in Bloomfield — though Amazon has disputed the numbers.
Amazon warehouse workers in Chicago and Detroit also held rallies and work stoppages last Spring over COVID-19 safety concerns.
Following the first rally at the Staten Island facility last March, the management assistant who spearheaded the demonstration, Christopher Smalls, was fired by Amazon.
The tech giant said it fired Smalls because he violated social distancing guidelines after coming into contact with an employee who tested positive for the virus.
