Use of Amazon Vouchers and Products

1. What would you like the Union to do?
I would like the union to renew the soon to relapse for the second time Amazon Vouchers and Products Policy.
Original proposal can be found here: https://studentsunionucl.org/policy/up2007/use-of-amazon-vouchers-and-p… 
Passed for the second time here: https://studentsunionucl.org/policy/up2210/use-of-amazon-vouchers-and-p… 


2. Why would you like to do this? 
Amazon is not a sustainable company and this does not align with the Union's sustainability policy. It has been found to be drastically under-counting its emissions. It has also massively scaled back its DEI policies. Jeff Bezos has also given $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund and the Trump administration has slashed all DEI policies - this sends the message that Amazon supports the Trump administration's policies.
Evidence can be found here:
https://stand.earth/press-releases/amazons-sustainability-report-shows-… 
https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/ethical-campaigns-boycotts/amazon-green… 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgmy7xpw3pyo 
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/dec/13/amazon-donation-trum… 
 

I am then copying the same information as included in the original policy:
Amazon is an unethical and monopolistic company (references below). It exploits its workers, makes them work under unfair conditions, discourages unionisation, has sold controversial products in the past (e.g. a book on p*dophilia, reference below). During the pandemic, Jeff Bezos has expanded his wealth thus increasing his ever evolving billionaire status; meanwhile workers were treated unfairly even during the pandemic, e.g. not given enough paid leave if they needed to quarantine, or forced to not socially distance. I don't want mine or my University's money to go to this man!
Evidence:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/31/amazon-strike-worker-fi… 
https://www.bloomberg.com/businessweek/ap/financialnews/D9JDI0VG0.htm 
https://gizmodo.com/amazons-aggressive-anti-union-tactics-revealed-in-l… 
 

3. How will this affect students?
I am copying the same information as included in the original policy:
Amazon is also infamous for selling products which breach equality and diversity principles (e.g. Nazi paraphernalia, https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/amazon-accused-of-profiting-from-hate-…). Students should see their morals reflected in the Union's choices. As a Union, we should not be supporting unethical billionaire companies. With Amazon out of the way, this is an opportunity to use small and local businesses as incentives, especially e.g. BAME owned businesses which struggle due to competition of giant companies like Amazon.
Amazon's biggest tool is its convenience, with its cheap prices and fast delivery - at the cost of its workers. If students don't see convenient outlets to shop at Amazon (e.g. the Union using Amazon vouchers) it would encourage students to shop small and shop ETHICALLY!
 

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