A closer look at labor practices, union busting, and the ethics behind the boycott movement.
As Amazon continues to dominate the global economy, many consumers and small business advocates are rethinking their relationship with the tech and retail giant. For some, it's no longer just about fast shipping and low prices—it’s about questioning what kind of system we're supporting when we click "Add to Cart."
In recent years, a growing number of people have chosen to boycott Amazon altogether. Below, we outline the major reasons behind the movement and examine the company's practices with a critical eye.
1. Union Busting and Labor Suppression
One of the most urgent criticisms of Amazon is its aggressive opposition to unionization efforts.
In 2021, warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama, attempted to unionize—a campaign met with heavy resistance from Amazon. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) later ruled that Amazon interfered with the election, including placing a surveillance-adjacent mailbox and hosting mandatory anti-union meetings. [NPR]
Amazon has spent millions hiring union-avoidance consultants and has been accused of retaliating against organizing employees. [The Guardian]
In April 2022, workers at Amazon’s Staten Island JFK8 warehouse successfully formed the company’s first-ever union in the U.S., but Amazon refused to voluntarily recognize the union and has fought it in court ever since. [NPR]
2. Dangerous Working Conditions and High Injury Rates
Reports of difficult and sometimes unsafe working conditions have circulated for years, particularly within Amazon’s vast network of fulfillment centers.
A 2022 report from the Strategic Organizing Center revealed Amazon warehouse workers suffer serious injuries at twice the rate of the industry average. [SOC Report]
Workers have reported being monitored by productivity algorithms, penalized for taking breaks, and discouraged from requesting medical leave. [NBC News]
3. Anticompetitive Practices Against Small Businesses
Although Amazon claims to support small sellers through its third-party marketplace, investigations have revealed significant anticompetitive behavior.
A 2020 House Judiciary Committee report found that Amazon used data from third-party sellers to develop its own competing products, effectively undercutting small businesses. [House Judiciary Committee Report]
Additionally, many sellers report paying over 50% of each sale in fees to Amazon, including fulfillment, advertising, and referral charges. [Institute for Local Self-Reliance]
4. Tax Avoidance and Public Subsidies
Amazon’s tax record has drawn criticism across the political spectrum.
In 2018, despite earning over $11 billion in profit, Amazon paid zero in federal income taxes. [Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)]
The company has also received more than $5 billion in public subsidies from state and local governments, often while small local businesses struggle. [Good Jobs First]
5. Environmental Impact
While Amazon has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, its actual environmental impact remains significant.
In 2021 alone, Amazon reported emitting over 71 million metric tons of carbon dioxide—an increase from previous years. [Amazon Sustainability Report]
The push for ultra-fast delivery encourages overproduction, overpackaging, and a high-emission logistics network that experts say is far from sustainable.
6. A Note on Jeff Bezos and Political Influence
Although Jeff Bezos stepped down as CEO in 2021 and now owns approximately 10% of the company, his legacy continues to shape Amazon’s culture and direction.
Bezos attended Donald Trump’s 2017, and 2025 inaugurations and participated in tech industry meetings with the administration. [CNBC] While some viewed this as standard corporate diplomacy, others saw it as aligning with an administration that often opposed workers' rights and marginalized communities.
Critics have also pointed to Bezos’s political donations and his ownership of The Washington Post as areas of influence that complicate Amazon’s public image. Even philanthropic efforts, such as climate and homelessness donations, are often viewed as small offsets compared to the systemic inequities his business model perpetuates.
Even with Bezos no longer in the day-to-day leadership role, the systems and priorities he built remain deeply embedded in the company.
7. What About Amazon’s DEI Efforts?
Some defenders highlight Amazon’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives. The company publishes annual diversity reports and supports various Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). [Amazon Diversity Report]
However, many critics argue that these efforts are performative and fail to address systemic issues within the company—especially considering the disproportionately high injury rates and labor suppression among Black and brown warehouse workers. [Vox] With an industry high turnover rate of 8-months, any DEI efforts have fallen flat.
A company cannot claim to be equitable while simultaneously undermining workers’ rights and resisting unionization—especially when those workers are often from historically marginalized communities.
Author Warning: In our Shop Blue USA Facebook communities we are seeing an influx of faceless profiles, defending Amazon. We are speculating that Amazon may possibly be paying people to defend the brand online, as they are suffering from consumer boycotts. Please report suspicious comments or misinformation to the Admin team for investigation. Thank you!
8. So… Why Boycott Amazon?
Boycotting Amazon isn’t about expecting perfection from the worlds largest brand—it’s about alignment. It’s about asking: What kind of economy are we voting for with our dollars?
As the founder chums alongside wanna-be-dictators and condemns unions, many consumers now choose to support businesses that prioritize ethics over convenience, community over corporate dominance, and people over profits. Communities like Shop Blue USA exist to help those consumers find alternatives—to help shift purchasing power toward brands that better reflect their values.
If you’re one of those consumers, you’re not alone—and your choices matter more than ever.