Coronavirus: 'Not smart' memo shows Amazon's union stance

Leaked notes from an internal Amazon meeting throw light on how executives are dealing with increased worker unrest during the Covid-19 crisis.

A lawyer suggested focusing on a sacked worker, who had organised a protest about safety in his New York warehouse.

Christian Smalls was described as "not smart, or articulate."

He should be the story, rather than the wider questions about conditions, the lawyer said.

According to the memo, seen by technology news website Vice and not disputed by Amazon, general counsel David Zapolsky advised: "He is not smart, or articulate and to the extent the press wants to focus on us versus him, we will be in a much stronger PR position than simply explaining for the umpteenth time how we're trying to protect workers."

Amazon claims that Mr Smalls, who led a walkout of a number of workers at the Staten Island distribution warehouse, was fired because he violated a 14-day quarantine after he came into contact with an employee who tested positive for Covid-19.

"We should spend the first part of our response strongly laying out the case for why the organiser's conduct was immoral, unacceptable, arguably illegal, in detail, and only then follow with our usual talking points about worker safety," wrote Mr Zapolsky.

"Make him the most interesting part of the story, and if possible make him the face of the entire union/organising movement."

Later he defended himself to Vice saying his "comments were personal and emotional".

"I was frustrated and upset that an Amazon employee would endanger the health and safety of other Amazonians by repeatedly returning to the premises after having been warned to quarantine himself after exposure to the virus Covid-19.

"I let my emotions draft my words and get the better of me."

The BBC has contacted Mr Smalls for comment but has not yet received a response.