The post estimates there are approximately 134,556 full-time equivalent Amazon Flex drivers in the U.S., highlighting challenges in organizing this gig workforce.
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Benjamin Y. Fong runs On the Seams, a labor and logistics newsletter offering research, reporting, and analysis of supply chains to support labor strategy and organizing.
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Amazon is reportedly laying off 14,000 corporate employees, with potential total layoffs reaching 30,000, surpassing previous layoffs in 2022-2023. The layoffs are not solely attributed to AI but are linked to Amazon's corporate c...
An analysis of Amazon's Inbound Cross-Docks reveals the complexities of their logistics network and critiques the recent two-tiered system for inventory management.
Amazon's earnings call showcased record revenue and ambitious spending plans, yet stock prices fell, reflecting market skepticism about its growth strategies and user experience.
The blog post discusses Walmart's position as the largest importer in the U.S. in 2024, with 960,000 TEUs, and contrasts it with Amazon's 250,000 TEUs. It highlights Walmart's control over its supply chain and the competitive land...
Organizing Amazon is essential for the labor movement's future, requiring a unified and well-funded approach to combat its growing influence.
Albertsons, the second largest grocer in the U.S., faces challenges in automation and potential merger implications with Kroger, impacting its distribution network and unionization.
The author responds to a New York Times article claiming that Amazon plans to replace over half a million jobs with robots. The piece discusses Amazon's automation goals, including avoiding the hiring of 160,000 workers by 2027 an...
Target has become the third largest employer in the U.S., but its net sales have declined over the past two years, raising concerns about its competitive position against giants like Walmart and Amazon. The company is facing chall...
Amazon has expanded its same-day delivery service to include perishable groceries in 1,000 US cities, with plans to double that by 2025. This move has impacted competitors like DoorDash and Kroger. An interview with Errol Schweize...
The interview with Hu Anyan discusses his book 'I Deliver Parcels in Beijing,' which details his experiences in China's gig economy, particularly in logistics. Hu describes the harsh working conditions in logistics warehouses, emp...
The 2025 NLRB election data reveals a decline in union certification wins, particularly outside academia and healthcare, highlighting ongoing challenges in labor organization.
The blog post provides an overview of Lowe's distribution network, detailing its size, structure, and recent improvements under CEO Marvin Ellison. It highlights the company's historical context, its competitive position relative ...
The blog post provides an overview of Kroger's position in the grocery retail market, highlighting its significant market share, extensive distribution network, and recent operational developments. It details Kroger's history, the...
The blog post discusses updates to a primer on Home Depot's distribution network, highlighting the existence of seven dedicated Import Distribution Centers, the distinction between Market Delivery Operations and larger Market Deli...
The post analyzes Amazon's package label data in NYC, uncovering insights about its outbound network and the differentiation of Sortation Centers.
E-commerce may not have a superior cost structure compared to traditional retail, as evidenced by a critical analysis of Amazon and Walmart's financials.
5.1Robot Sobriety: The Case of Amazon
2025-12-10 • automation amazon labor labor unions ai
The post challenges the belief that Amazon's layoffs are due to AI, asserting that significant automation has already occurred and highlighting implications for union organizing.
The post discusses the potential to trace Amazon's outbound package flow by collecting photos of package labels from customers. The author, working on an article for Urban Omnibus, invites readers to contribute images of their Ama...
5.1Labor’s Crisis Is Not a PR Problem
2025-09-10 • public opinion strategy labor
The article argues that the challenges facing organized labor are not merely issues of messaging or public perception, but rather stem from a strategic impasse. Despite a resurgence in public support for unions, there has been no ...
5.1Updated Primers
2025-08-04 • supply chain large employers automatic updates
The author, Benjamin Y. Fong, discusses updates to primers on the distribution networks of the top ten largest non-healthcare employers in the U.S., including Walmart, FedEx, Home Depot, and CVS. The updates include improved data ...
The article updates the analysis of Amazon's imports using Q3 2025 data, focusing on the top ports of unladings such as LA, Long Beach, and Oakland. It notes a decrease in TEU count at these ports despite an overall rise in import...
Amazon's Sub-Same Day centers are crucial for delivering everyday essentials, driving sales growth, and optimizing last-mile delivery through gig workers.
The blog post discusses Dollar General's evolution from a five and dime store to a major retail player with over 20,000 locations in the U.S. It highlights the company's focus on low prices and low wages, catering primarily to poo...