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Amazon Air employees are demanding higher wages and more time off.

PHOTO: AMAZON MEDIA ASSETS

Amazon’s Air Hub Workers in Kentucky Are Unionizing, Drawing the Corporation’s Ire Amazon’s Air Hub Workers in Kentucky Are Unionizing, Drawing the Corporation’s Ire Workers at the Hebron location are the rst to make their unionization e orts public. Workers at the Hebron location are the rst to make their unionization e orts public. BY MADELINE FENING

BY MADELINE FENING

Eorts to unionize Amazon’s largest Air Hub facility in the nation are taking o in Hebron, Kentucky, and the company has responded with warning signs to employees. e massive $1.5 billion dollar Amazon Air Hub located just outside of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport rst opened in August of 2021. e Air Hub, which Amazon often refers to by the airport’s ICAO airport code KCVG, employs about 4,500 workers moving “millions” of packages each week, according to press materials on Amazon’s website.

One of those workers is Jordan Martin, a ramp associate at the Air Hub. He said his job is to move loads of Amazon packages on and o the planes, but that brief description doesn’t begin to cover the danger associated with the position.

“It’s one of those environments where, if you don’t have your head on a swivel … you very well could lose your life,” Martin told CityBeat.

Martin is part of the small but organized group of Amazon Air Hub workers at KCVG looking to unionize, adding that the location is the rst Air Hub to make its unionization e orts public. He said that his job is too dangerous to not receive hazard pay.

Eorts to unionize Amazon’s largest Air Hub facility in the nation are taking o in Hebron, Kentucky, and the company has responded with warning signs to employees. e massive $1.5 billion dollar Amazon Air Hub located just outside of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport rst opened in August of 2021. e Air Hub, which Amazon often refers to by the airport’s ICAO airport “If someone accidentally walked too close to the [airplane] engine, you’re going to get sucked up into it,” Martin said. “Or on the o -chance a plane is coming in and someone missed a rock or a piece of metal that was on the taxiway and it got sucked into the jet engine, that will get spat out at a couple hundred miles per hour.” code KCVG, employs about 4,500 workers moving “millions” of packages each week, according to press materials on Amazon’s website.

One of those workers is Jordan Martin, a ramp associate at the Air Hub. He said his job is to move loads of Amazon packages on and o the planes, but that brief description doesn’t begin to cover the danger associated with the position.

“It’s one of those environments where, if you don’t have your head on a swivel … you very well could lose your life,” Martin told CityBeat.

Martin is part of the small but organized group of Amazon Air Hub workers at KCVG looking to unionize, adding that the location is the rst Air Hub to make its unionization e orts public. He said that his job is too dangerous to not receive hazard pay. “If someone accidentally walked too close to the [airplane] engine, you’re going to get sucked up into it,” Martin said. “Or on the o -chance a plane is coming in and someone missed a rock or a piece of metal that was on the taxiway and it got sucked into the jet engine, that will get spat out at a couple hundred miles per hour.”

Holiday rush Holiday rush

Martin said that strenuous working conditions exist everywhere at the Air Hub, especially during the peak holiday season. He said that last year, employees received about $2 extra per hour, or “peak pay,” as the company calls it. is incentive is for working the longer, more strenuous shifts ful lling a signi cantly higher volume of packages to meet the holiday rush, Martin said. He added that there’s usually a freeze on time o during the winter holidays, and employees can expect to work six to seven days per week.

Martin said that in September, employees began hearing rumblings of a holiday season ahead with no “peak pay.” He said employees tried voicing their concerns about the rumors with a petition of about 400 signatures in favor of the holiday incentive, but management shot it down.

“ at was the catalyst,” Martin said.

Martin said that strenuous working conditions exist everywhere at the Air Hub, especially during the peak holiday season. He said that last year, employees received about $2 extra per hour, or “peak pay,” as the company calls it. is incentive is for working the longer, more strenuous shifts ful lling a signi cantly higher volume of packages to meet the holiday rush, Martin said. He added that there’s usually a freeze on time o during the winter holidays, and employees can expect to work six to seven days per week.

Martin said that in September, employees began hearing rumblings of a holiday season ahead with no “peak pay.” He said employees tried voicing their concerns about the rumors with a petition of about 400 signatures in favor of the holiday incentive, but management shot it down.

“ at was the catalyst,” Martin said.

Union demands Union demands

On Nov. 10, employees at KCVG’s Amazon Air Hub announced their intention to unionize, demanding a $30 hourly wage for all employees, 180 hours of paid time o and more. It’s the rst Air Hub with a publicly organized union, Martin said, also noting that only one Amazon warehouse in the country is openly unionized.

So far, the union is entirely local without a union representative. Martin said there are more than 50 organizing employees, with that number steadily growing.

Mary Kate Paradis, a public relations manager for Amazon, responded to CityBeat’s request for comment about the launch of union e orts at the facility.

“Our employees have the choice of whether or not to join a union. ey always have,” Paradis said. “As a company, we don’t think unions are the best answer for our employees. Our focus remains on working directly with our team to continue making Amazon a

great place to work.” Currently, full-time employees of the Air Hub make up to $19.50 per hour, according to Amazon’s online press On Nov. 10, employees at KCVG’s Amazon Air Hub announced their intention to unionize, demanding a $30 hourly wage for all employees, 180 hours of paid time o and more. It’s the rst Air Hub with a publicly organized union, Martin said, also noting that only one Amazon warehouse in the country is openly unionized. So far, the union is entirely local without a union representative. Martin said there are more than 50 organizing employees, with that number steadily growing. Mary Kate Paradis, a public relations manager for Amazon, responded to CityBeat’s request for comment about the launch of union e orts at the facility. “Our employees have the choice of whether or not to join a union. ey always have,” Paradis said. “As a company, we don’t think unions are the best answer for our employees. Our focus remains on working directly with our team to continue making Amazon a center. e burgeoning KCVG union’s rst press release said the company o ered employees an “insulting” costof-living raise of 40 cents per hour, which “[amounts] to a pay cut given the ongoing impact of in ation.” “Our most popular demand is for a $30 per hour starting wage,” the release from the workers said. “In ation has sent prices of basic necessities like gas, groceries, and rent through the roof. Winning $30/hr at Amazon KCVG would allow us to a ord a better standard of living, and raise the expectations for all workers to ght for more.” e group’s press release claimed that Amazon’s annual turnover rate is 150% “because we’re running ground support equipment, supervising planeside operations and training our coworkers without a real pay incentive.” But Amazon believes its wages are fair. “Amazon jobs for front-line employees in customer ful llment and transportation come with an average pay of more than $19 per hour, with

great place to work.”

Currently, full-time employees of the Air Hub make up to $19.50 per hour, according to Amazon’s online press center. e burgeoning KCVG union’s rst press release said the company o ered employees an “insulting” costof-living raise of 40 cents per hour, which “[amounts] to a pay cut given the ongoing impact of in ation.”

“Our most popular demand is for a $30 per hour starting wage,” the release from the workers said. “In ation has sent prices of basic necessities like gas, groceries, and rent through the roof. Winning $30/hr at Amazon KCVG would allow us to a ord a better standard of living, and raise the expectations for all workers to ght for more.” e group’s press release claimed that Amazon’s annual turnover rate is 150% “because we’re running ground support equipment, supervising planeside operations and training our coworkers without a real pay incentive.”

But Amazon believes its wages are fair.

“Amazon jobs for front-line employees in customer ful llment and transportation come with an average pay of more than $19 per hour, with

employees earning between $16 and $26 per hour depending on their position and location in the U.S.,” Paradis told CityBeat.

Workers also are calling for 180 hours of paid time o with no cap on accrued time.

Amazon told CityBeat that employees have the option to take up to 20 weeks of paid leave, but 14 of those weeks are for pregnancy-related disability.

Martin disputed this, saying rst-year associates only get 40 hours – one week – of paid time o for the calendar year, with incremental increases the more years spent with the company.

According to Amazon.jobs.com, employees would need to work at the company for six years or more to receive 120 hours of annual paid vacation time, or 15 days. e website also says employees get seven paid holidays and that sick time varies by state.

Warning signs

Organizers said that soon after the employees announced their intention to unionize, Amazon began “unionbusting” practices.

“Yesterday, Amazon sent out a facility-wide text warning workers that they ‘have no obligation’ to speak to anyone, ‘including a union organizer.’ ey also warned that if Amazon workers shared their contact information with their coworkers about starting a union, they may be contacted,” the group said in a Nov. 15 press release.

Martin told CityBeat that signs from Amazon started popping up around the Air Hub, warning employees of “third parties” trying to obtain their “personal information.” He said it gives employees a false impression of what a union does.

“ ey kept using the terminology, ‘Beware of third party,’ and again, we’re not some random third party – we’re their coworkers. ey are not giving all the facts with that,” Martin said.

Martin said that the “personal information” organizers collect – such as phone numbers – is used to inform employees of meeting times and locations outside of business hours.

Amazon responded to CityBeat’s request for comment about the signs, saying, “We share this information because we believe it’s important that everyone understands the facts about joining a union.”

Workers will continue unionizing e orts through the holiday season, Martin said. In the meantime, he’s trying to not let what he calls “unionbusting” slow the union’s momentum.

“We are Amazon,” Martin said. “We are the lifeblood of the company. It’s not corporate, it’s not upper management. ey’re not the ones getting into the belly of a plane loading boxes in single-digit weather. We are.”

City Searching for Greg Landsman’s Cincinnati City Council Replacement

BY ALLISON BABKA

Cincinnati City Council member Greg Landsman is heading to Washington, D.C. as a new congressman.

PHOTO: FACEBOOK/CITYOFCINCY

There soon will be a new face at City Hall.

With Cincinnati City Council member Greg Landsman preparing to head to the U.S. House of Representatives in January, the city is making plans to appoint his local successor. Landsman announced Nov. 22 that he has designated council member Reggie Harris to appoint the person who will take Landsman’s spot.

“ is is not going to be a popularity contest. e appointment process is a process of continuity. It’s about thinking about what we’ve established over this year and what we’ll do going into the next year,” Harris said. “And it’s also about choosing someone who has the ability to articulate a clear plan for advancing this council’s priorities: core services, public safety, housing, equity, pedestrian safety and sustainability.”

Generally, Cincinnati’s municipal code says that a designee on Cincinnati City Council must appoint a successor within 60 days of a council vacancy. If the vacancy is not lled, the city’s mayor may appoint someone to the post. A chosen successor would serve as a council member until the end of the predecessor’s original term, when they can choose to run for election to retain their seat.

Landsman won his Cincinnati City Council seat in 2017 and assumed o ce Jan. 2, 2018. He was reelected in 2021 with a term expiring at the end of 2023.

On Nov. 8, Landsman defeated incumbent Steve Chabot in a general election and will represent the 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Applying for the seat

rough Nov. 27, Cincinnati citizens completed an application to be considered for appointment to Landsman’s soon-to-be-vacant position on the nine-member council. As of press time Nov. 23, Harris planned to present summaries of the applicants and solicit feedback during the council’s Nov. 29 public safety and governance committee meeting. Harris soon will create a public shortlist of candidates for interviews and then will announce the nal appointment during the week of Dec. 5.

Because Harris is Landsman’s designee to appoint the next council member, the council will not need to vote on the replacement as members did in previous situations. Harris said that though the decision ultimately rests with him, he plans to consult with council members throughout the process.

“It’s a condensed process [and] has lots of touchpoints for both community and council engagement,” Harris said. “It’s de nitely a collaborative process, but as the situation is set up [as a designee], I ultimately do have to make a choice.”

Harris acknowledged that the application timeline and process is short, particularly with applications having been submitted during a holiday week.

“It is a tight timeline, but I think it is a really important kind of rst test. e city doesn’t stop running on the holidays. We often in this role have to pull together really important and signi cant work in short timelines in spaces that aren’t always opportune,” Harris said. “So I think that this actually is a great opportunity to identify folks who are really passionate about this and really want this.”

Harris added that Landsman has not o ered any input about speci c individuals he’d like to see in his seat.

“He has been adamant about a clear and transparent process, and every conversation we’ve had about this appointment process has been about that,” Harris said. “I even asked him, ‘Hey, do you have some folks in mind, some ideas?’ and he said, ‘I am clear and committed to the process.’”

Landsman said that because he will be sworn in as a congressman on Jan. 3, he plans to formally resign his Cincinnati City Council position on Jan. 2. His successor then would take the city’s oath of o ce that morning.

Cincinnati Reds’ Bronson Arroyo Joins Scott Rolen on BBWAA’s National Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot

BY ALLISON BABKA

Former Reds third baseman Scott Rolen is on the Cooperstown ballot for the sixth time.

PHOTO: TWITTER.COM/REDS

Two former Cincinnati Reds players could be heading to Cooperstown.

Pitcher Bronson Arroyo and third baseman Scott Rolen are on the 2023 ballot for National Baseball Hall of Fame, with Arroyo in his rst year of eligibility and Rolen in his sixth. Both had spent considerable time with the Reds, hitting major milestones. ere are a total of 28 candidates on the ballot, with 14 of them being new. e Hall of Fame’s eligibility rules are somewhat complex and have a variety of exceptions or classi cations, but essentially, Major League Baseball players must be retired from the game for at least ve years, must have played in the majors for at least 10 seasons that touch some part of the last 15 years and must not be on the MLB commissioner’s “permanently ineligible” list. Players who meet the criteria generally are eligible for 10 years, though there also are avenues for enshrinement through speci c committees or eras.

For induction, players must receive 75% of that year’s vote from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA).

MLB announced the class of 2023 candidates Nov. 21. Ballots are being mailed to 400 voting members of the BBWAA, who will make their selections through Dec. 31. Results will be announced Jan. 24.

Bronson Arroyo

Arroyo, who will be inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in July, spent eight consecutive seasons with the Reds between 2006 and 2013. He followed that up with a nal season in Cincinnati in 2017 before retiring from the game.

During his time in the big leagues, Arroyo was an innings eater and shutout machine, and he had at least four go-to pitches – slider, changeup, moving fastball and curveball – that served him well. As a Red, he pitched more than 200 innings in every season except for two, even nabbing 240 2/3 innings in 2006.

Arroyo also was good for strikeouts, routinely throwing more than 120 per Reds season except for in 2017. Over his entire Reds career, Arroyo tossed 1,157 strikeouts – something just ve other pitchers for the club have done.

Arroyo’s big 2012 postseason moment endeared him to Queen City fans forever. As the Reds’ starter for game two of the National League Division Series, Arroyo had a perfect game through ve innings and the team beat the San Francisco Giants 9-0 (Cincinnati would end up losing the series in ve games).

Arroyo won a World Series championship with the Boston Red Sox in 2004 and was traded to Cincinnati in 2006.

Scott Rolen

It nally may be Rolen’s time to shine in the Hall. In 2022, Rolen received 63.2% of the BBWAA vote, and experts are predicting the third baseman to earn more than that for 2023.

Rolen joined the Reds in 2009, playing through 2012 at the corner before retiring. While in Cincinnati, Rolen hit his 300th career home run and helped the team win the Central Division – something that Cincinnati hadn’t seen in the 15 seasons prior. He also earned one of his eight National League Gold Gloves and was an MLB All Star in 2010 and 2011 (he’d earned the honor ve additional times elsewhere) during his time in the Queen City.

Known for his hustle and reliability, Rolen is right up there with third basemen already enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Over his career, he tallied a .490 slugging percentage (fourth-best), 517 doubles ( fth), 2023 games (sixth), 316 homers (sixth) and .855 slugging (sixth). Rolen is one of just four third basemen ever to compile at least 2,000 hits, 500 doubles, 300 home runs and 1,200 RBI, and he’s one of just three players at any position to post those stats from 1997 to 2012.

Rolen played a total of 17 years in the majors, nabbing the National League Rookie of the Year award when he came up with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1997. His most celebrated years came with the St. Louis Cardinals, with whom he won a World Series in 2006. Despite a shoulder injury, he and rst baseman Albert Pujols – who just retired after a multimilestone 22nd season – regularly were credited with leading the Birds’ success during that era.

Finalists for Cincinnati Police Chief Announced

BY MADELINE FENING

The Cincinnati Police Department is searching for a new chief.

PHOTO: RAY MONDWAMBSGANS, FLICKR CREATIVE COMMONS

Cincinnati’s city manager Sheryl Long announced Nov. 18 the four nalists for chief of the Cincinnati Police Department: interim police chief Teresa eetge, assistant police chief Lisa Davis, Larry Boone and Todd Chamberlain. e city conducted a national and local search for the permanent leader.

Eliot Isaac, the department’s former longtime chief, retired on March 1.

Prior to taking on the interim chief role, eetge was the executive assistant chief under Isaac and has been with the CPD for more than 31 years. She’s the rst woman to lead the department.

Lisa Davis is the assistant police chief, serving the CPD since 1992.

Boone is from Norfolk, Virginia, where he was the police chief for the Norfolk Police Department until he retired in April.

Chamberlain has experience as the chief of police for the Los Angeles School Police Department and as a commander for the Los Angeles Police Department.

“Our city faces real challenges with police recruitment and retention. We need strong leadership and a chief with a deep understanding of the [2003] Collaborative Agreement and community problem-oriented policing,” Long said upon announcing the nalists. e city’s website lists Dec. 5-Jan. 17 as the “negotiation and start date” for the incoming police chief.