The attached graph shows the trajectory of Amazon’s stock price over the last three years, and shows how the delivery company cashed in over the course of the pandemic and resulting lockdowns.

 

Amazon pulled out of opening a major hub in Queens in early 2019, which was set to create more than 25,000 jobs, as reported at the time by The New York Times. The decision came after a fall out following widespread disclosure that the company would not be required to pay what some felt was its fair share in taxes in exchange for opening the site in New York City. The proposal had been backed by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and former Mayor Bill de Blasio. There were also concerns over the impact of the new site on housing costs and public transportation.

 

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (NY-14) who represents parts of both Queens and The Bronx, received a lot of heat at the time for calling out the delivery giant for reportedly failing to adequately address the concerns of local communities, while other elected officials backed the deal on its job creation merits. In the years since the debacle, Amazon finally did expand its existing services in New York City, though not to the degree initially foreseen as part of the Queens project, which was due to be located in Long Island City.

Meanwhile, on Mar. 24, Amazon launched the Welcome Door program, a new initiative to provide refugee and humanitarian-based immigrant employees with additional resources and support, as well as reimbursement for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) fees, charged by the United States government to immigrants applying to work in the United States.

 

“At Amazon, we have a variety of jobs and welcome all kinds of people, and we’re proud to offer enhanced support for refugees around the world,” said Ofori Agboka, Amazon’s vice president of people experience and tech for operations. “Being displaced from your homeland and having to start again somewhere new is challenging and emotional. It is an honor and a privilege to help to make that transition easier and help people start again. Across our entire business and at all levels, we’re working with refugees to secure jobs and get the support they need.”

 

According to company officials, on arrival in new communities, refugees often face challenges when seeking jobs and resettlement support. Upwardly Global, a nonprofit that helps refugees rebuild their careers, added that in addition to language barriers and limited government resources, refugees with professional experience often have gaps in their careers, which can limit their knowledge of the latest developments within an industry.

 

Through the new Welcome Door program, Amazon’s refugee and humanitarian-based immigrant employees will have access to several new resources, including:

• reimbursement for EAD renewal fees, which on average cost roughly $500 every other year;
• a new Citizenship Assistance Portal that will fully support U.S. citizenship applications for all eligible employees;
• ongoing communications that will highlight policy changes that may impact an employee’s immigration status;
• free legal resources to help navigate immigration-related questions and the ability to connect with immigration experts;
• access to skills training benefits including free college tuition and English as a Second Language (ESL) proficiency through Amazon’s Career choice program, and;
• customized mentorship.

 

These new resources will be offered to Amazon employees in the U.S. starting in April, and the company plans to expand the program globally by the end of the year.

 

In addition to Welcome Door, Amazon officials said the company was proud to also support Ukrainians through the Tent Partnership for Refugees. Company officials said Amazon is among the companies to have pledged to provide for the immediate needs and longer-term support for people fleeing Ukraine.

 

“We’re very proud of Amazon’s commitment to better support its refugee employees, joining other companies in the Tent Partnership that are going above and beyond to give refugees the help they need to integrate into their new communities,” said Veronica Rossini, acting executive director at Tent Partnership for Refugees.

 

The Tent Partnership for Refugees is made up of more than 200 major companies committed to including refugees. Members are based all over the world, and span industries from consumer goods and technology, to financial and professional services. “With millions of people fleeing war and conflict in countries like Afghanistan and Ukraine, a good job is one of the most impactful ways for refugees to build a new life,” said Rossini. I hope the Welcome Door program inspires many more businesses to ensure these incredibly talented, resourceful, and dedicated people have the tools and support they need to thrive in their careers.”

 

Meanwhile, Amazon officials said the company also recently committed to fully funding college tuition, books, and fees, as well as high school diplomas, GEDs, college preparatory courses, and English as a Second Language (ESL) proficiency certifications for its front-line, hourly employees though the Career Choice program. Employees who have been with Amazon for 90 days are eligible to begin the program and can participate for an unlimited time as long as they remain Amazon employees.

 

Amazon jobs come with an average starting pay of $18 an hour (more than double the federal minimum wage). Company officials said Amazon offers a comprehensive benefits package to all regular full-time employees, which includes health insurance from an employee’s first day on the job, a 401(k) plan with a company match, up to 20 weeks of paid leave for birthing parents, free mental health support, access to subsidized skills training opportunities, and more.

 

For more information about Amazon’s Welcome Door program, click here. For more information on what Amazon is doing to support people in Ukraine, click here.

 

Norwood News reached out to ask if Amazon had any comment on the decision by Staten Island Amazon workers to unionize, as well as confirmation of how many people the company employs in The Bronx.

 

An Amazon representative responded, saying, “We’re disappointed with the outcome of the election in Staten Island because we believe having a direct relationship with the company is best for our employees. We’re evaluating our options, including filing objections based on the inappropriate and undue influence by the NLRB that we and others (including the National Retail Federation and U.S. Chamber of Commerce) witnessed in this election.”

 

Amazon shared a copy of an NRF letter, which can be read here, and a copy of a U.S. Chamber blog, which can be read here. 

 

The company confirmed that it has “approximately 8300 employees at JFK8.” We’ve asked for clarification as to where this site is located and will update this story upon receipt of a response.