Chicago (WLS) — Community members on Chicago’s West Side have expressed frustration at Amazon’s lack of success in opening a new fulfillment center in West Humboldt Park.
The facility is built, but empty. Residents are angry at the delays in work and the economic boost promised to the community.
Unemployed Yvette McCallum wanted to work at an Amazon fulfillment center after the e-commerce giant built a massive facility down the street from her home.
“I’m excited because it’s in my neighborhood, so I feel like I can do this. I can get a job,” she said.
But that won’t be the case for her and other West Humboldt Park residents, as the warehouse, which was supposed to open at the end of 2022, may not be operational until the end of this year.
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The delay angered several local activists and community groups who had hoped for the economic boost Amazon’s warehouses would bring.
Edie Jacobs, Executive Director of Get to Work, said:
Some activists have offered community benefits to the company to ensure that Amazon hires locally, pays workers at least $10 more than their starting salary, and builds community training and recreation centers nearby. wanted to sign a contract.
Amazon has not signed any contracts.
Rodney Shelton of the West Humboldt Park Community Coalition said: “These big companies come with verbal promises to do certain things.
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With no city subsidies, Amazon considered hiring hundreds of people at the 140,000-square-foot site on Costner Avenue and Division Street.
The plan to put warehouses on hold comes as Amazon cuts headcount and delays, cancels or closes dozens of fulfillment centers to offset the decline.
Amazon spokesperson Steve Kelly wrote in an email:
Groups like Black Workers Matter say neighborhood residents are encouraged to apply for jobs at Amazon’s other facilities for now, but the company doesn’t allow people to travel to the suburbs to attend recruitment events. It is said that they make it difficult by requiring them to
Anthony Stewart in Black Workers Matter said, “The city makes a lot of noise about inclusion, but in reality too many deals are being made without transparency.
Alderman Emma Mitts, who has an Amazon warehouse in the 37th Ward, said in a statement, “We remain steadfast in our support of the future Amazon facility. This Amazon fulfillment center is scheduled to open sometime in 2023. Please rest assured,” he said.
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