B&H Photo -- workers conditions

[ahsanford]

I was troubled to read the following story:

http://america.aljazeera.com/multimedia/2015/10/bh-workers-claim-discrimination-unsafe-standards1.html

...which was quickly picked up by The Phoblographer:

http://www.thephoblographer.com/2015/10/13/warehouse-workers-at-bh-photo-video-protest-unsafe-working-conditions/#.Vh0XPaJKg40

Some of the stories shared by the workers run the gamut from very believable difficult warehouse conditions (I worked in a few myself before college) to the downright deplorable are-you-f-ing-kidding-me sort of events. I encourage everyone to give it a read.

I buy photo gear in lots of places, but I'd say I'm a solid 80/20 at B&H/Amazon for big ticket items like camera bodies, lenses, flashes, etc. -- principally because of their return policies, responsive service, etc.

I will think long and hard about giving B&H my future business after reading this.

- A

 

[jdramirez]

I didn't read it all, but what I did... Geesh...

 

[turbo1168]

Why does a company of this scale hire undocumented immigrants? Just to be able to pay them a pittance and abuse them with with long hours and dangerous or poor working conditions! I don't want to do business with a company that can't treat their employees with at least a minimum of respect.

 

[ahsanford]

I have no delusions that our amazing internet convenient world is fueled by 100% happy worker bees in idyllic workplaces, but seeing how the sausage is made is always unsettling.

But this story, if true, is rife with egregious OSHA and workplace violations -- unsafe work conditions, hellish hours without commensurate breaks, etc.

Not shockingly, the workers are trying to unionize:
http://lwcu.org/press-room/press-releases/b-h-photo-warehouse-workers/

- A

 

[JonAustin]

But this story, if true, is rife with egregious OSHA and workplace violations -- unsafe work conditions, hellish hours without commensurate breaks, etc.

The story, if true, is also rife with significant criminal activity by both the workers (the mere presence of these illegal aliens (the term "undocumented immigrants" makes me want to toss my lunch) within our borders is a violation of law) and the employers who hire them. I would expect the hiring companies to notify law enforcement of applicants who are determined to be illegals, but sadly, that's a waste of time in many parts of the country.

Not shockingly, the workers are trying to unionize:
http://lwcu.org/press-room/press-releases/b-h-photo-warehouse-workers/

Of course these people who are in our country illegally are trying to unionize (with no fear of being deported by the attendant "raising of their profiles") ... (and I realize that not all the workers are illegals).

 

[bluemoon]

not sure if it is relevant, but al jazeera reporting on jews might be biased. . .

pierre

 

[JonAustin]

not sure if it is relevant, but al jazeera reporting on jews might be biased. . .

pierre

Very relevant, I think. Al Jazeera is wholly owned by the Qatari government, and -- according to Wikipedia -- "Al Jazeera has been called a propaganda outlet for the Qatari government and its foreign policy, by analysts and by news reporters, including former Al Jazeera reporters. The network is sometimes perceived to have mainly Islamist perspectives, promoting the Muslim Brotherhood, and having a pro-Sunni and an anti-Shia bias in its reporting of regional issues."

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

This type of press release often happens when Unions want to organize employees. They even hire protesters to make a show of it.

Why has only one news organization, and a highly biased one at that directly reported on it? Some posters on photography sites have repeated it, but they are merely spreading the single report that I could find. So far, web reports are just repeating the one report. I find this very suspicious, like it was arranged.


Here are some of the things I found in a online search for working conditions and employee complaints. There was not much aside from blogs parroting a single report.

http://www.indeed.com/cmp/B&H-Photo-Video/reviews?fcountry=US

http://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-B-and-H-Foto-and-Electronics-EI_IE141831.11,39.htm

 

[jdramirez]

Before we get to indignant... We are typing our messages on phones made in slave Labour environments in China... And our cameras are made in factories that we wouldn't want to work at... It is tough...

 

[unfocused]

I have no delusions that our amazing internet convenient world is fueled by 100% happy worker bees in idyllic workplaces, but seeing how the sausage is made is always unsettling.

The worst part of all this is that it is our own fault.

The quest for ever lower prices. The desire to have the most at the least cost. The willingness to order online to save a few dollars and evade taxes. All of these things have a price and we are only kidding ourselves if we pretend they don't.

Go to a department store like Macy's. An item that retails for $60 is almost always discounted to around $30. Then, they'll add in special promotions, added discounts, etc., and it's usually around $15. Now, take a look at the shirt or sweater or pair of slacks or whatever and imagine the time it takes to make it. Subtract the cost of materials, the cost of shipping, packaging, warehousing, etc., and think about what is left to pay the individuals who actually make that article of clothing.

And yet, are we willing to pay more? Of course not. We rationalize it away.

Now, I'm not pretending to be any different than anyone else. I'm just suggesting that the real source of the problem is ourselves.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Before we get to indignant... We are typing our messages on phones made in slave Labour environments in China... And our cameras are made in factories that we wouldn't want to work at... It is tough...

Beginning workers and immigrants are often abused and employed for sub standard wages, and its been that way for a very long time.

Its good to step back and look at working conditions, in this case, it seems to be a single source of complaints spreading from a labor organizing movement, so I'll reserve judgement. It just looks rigged right now.

There have been complaints about workers being promoted only from Hadisic Jewish ranks, long hours, etc. The bit not evacuating the building because of smoke coming from two trucks nearby seems a bit contrived. No one was in danger as the article tries to make out. Typical Union exaggeration. I've been a long time Union member, and seen things get carried to extremes such that even hard line members were embarrassed.

 

[ahsanford]

This type of press release often happens when Unions want to organize employees. They even hire protesters to make a show of it.

Why has only one news organization, and a highly biased one at that directly reported on it? Some posters on photography sites have repeated it, but they are merely spreading the single report that I could find. So far, web reports are just repeating the one report. I find this very suspicious, like it was arranged.


Here are some of the things I found in a online search for working conditions and employee complaints. There was not much aside from blogs parroting a single report.

http://www.indeed.com/cmp/B&H-Photo-Video/reviews?fcountry=US

http://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-B-and-H-Foto-and-Electronics-EI_IE141831.11,39.htm

I'm not naive - I have zero doubt that this is part and parcel for a unionization push. That doesn't mean the allegations aren't true.

At the same time, do you really think an hourly undocumented worker is going to go through public channels like a workplace review site to vent their frustrations, even anonymously? That seems more of a forum for sales/office personnel.

Al-Jazeera is a muck-raking expose organization for certain, but it's not comically biased. They could have made this story about B&H's front-and-center Jewish culture and didn't. From what I've read, the photographer from this story is Jewish himself.

Personally, I think one of three things will occur:

• B&H will sue Al-Jazeera if they are making this up.
• B&H will publish a statement defending itself if some of it is true but there were extenuating circumstances or if AJ has rendered something that we know happened in an overly negative manner.
• B&H will say nothing, which will invite other investigative journalists to dig deeper / corroborate the story.

In all three cases, it's in B&H's best interests to act immediately before this story gets legs.

- A

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

This type of press release often happens when Unions want to organize employees. They even hire protesters to make a show of it.

Why has only one news organization, and a highly biased one at that directly reported on it? Some posters on photography sites have repeated it, but they are merely spreading the single report that I could find. So far, web reports are just repeating the one report. I find this very suspicious, like it was arranged.


Here are some of the things I found in a online search for working conditions and employee complaints. There was not much aside from blogs parroting a single report.

http://www.indeed.com/cmp/B&H-Photo-Video/reviews?fcountry=US

http://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-B-and-H-Foto-and-Electronics-EI_IE141831.11,39.htm

I'm not naive - I have zero doubt that this is part and parcel for a unionization push. That doesn't mean the allegations aren't true.

At the same time, do you really think an hourly undocumented worker is going to go through public channels like a workplace review site to vent their frustrations, even anonymously? That seems more of a forum for sales/office personnel.

Al-Jazeera is a muck-raking expose organization for certain, but it's not comically biased. They could have made this story about B&H's front-and-center Jewish culture and didn't. From what I've read, the photographer from this story is Jewish himself.

Personally, I think one of three things will occur:

• B&H will sue Al-Jazeera if they are making this up.
• B&H will publish a statement defending itself if some of it is true but there were extenuating circumstances or if AJ has rendered something that we know happened in an overly negative manner.
• B&H will say nothing, which will invite other investigative journalists to dig deeper / corroborate the story.

In all three cases, it's in B&H's best interests to act immediately before this story gets legs.

- A

I'm of the opinion that B&H should not be hiring undocumented workers. I must have passed over that in the article. There is a huge fine for that, and Unions certainly do not defend them.

I tried to find complaints online but there were none.

I'm just puzzled as to why other major news sites haven't repeated the story. For now, it could be too new, or that they have higher standards, and I do not know which.

 

[ahsanford]

I'm of the opinion that B&H should not be hiring undocumented workers. I must have passed over that in the article. There is a huge fine for that, and Unions certainly do not defend them.

I tried to find complaints online but there were none.

I'm just puzzled as to why other major news sites haven't repeated the story. For now, it could be too new, or that they have higher standards, and I do not know which.

Yep: "The men, many of whom are undocumented, testify of suffering from kidney stones, dizziness and fainting after being denied access to water or bathroom breaks."

And you are 100% correct. Until this is corroborated or (at minimum) picked up by a 2nd news agency, this is only hearsay for now.

- A

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I'm of the opinion that B&H should not be hiring undocumented workers. I must have passed over that in the article. There is a huge fine for that, and Unions certainly do not defend them.

I tried to find complaints online but there were none.

I'm just puzzled as to why other major news sites haven't repeated the story. For now, it could be too new, or that they have higher standards, and I do not know which.

Yep: "The men, many of whom are undocumented, testify of suffering from kidney stones, dizziness and fainting after being denied access to water or bathroom breaks."

And you are 100% correct. Until this is corroborated or (at minimum) picked up by a 2nd news agency, this is only hearsay for now.

- A

Labor unions are always hiring pickets to parade in front of a local business, carrying unfair signs and trying to pressure shoppers from entering. They try to give the impression that the pickets are employees of the business rather than employees of the Labor Union. This makes me a pessimist when I see pickets. Sometmes it works, but shoppers are a lot smarter now.

Spreading of false information over social networks seems to be the current best bang for the buck.

 

[Hjalmarg1]

As usual, oppressing the labour workers and violating the laws, Where is OSHA? or they are just being protecting the millionaires?
If what is presented by Laundry Workers Center is true, they should be prosecuted.

And I have to confess that I purchase most of my new gear from B&H and Adorama, what a pitty.

 

[chromophore]

It is amazing how a single uncorroborated report, short on facts and first-hand evidence, has brought out various underlying political biases on all sides.

Well, in retrospect, not so amazing.

I would like to recommend that either this entire thread be closed down, or if not, that at least people should take a wait-and-see approach rather than projecting their own opinions and speculations as to what is going on or what it says about Qatar, Jews, Muslims, immigration illegal or otherwise, labor unions, consumer greed, corporate greed, labor practices in China or labor practices in general, and the availability of fake Hitler mustaches for this Halloween season.

 

[Don Haines]

It is amazing how a single uncorroborated report, short on facts and first-hand evidence, has brought out various underlying political biases on all sides.

Well, in retrospect, not so amazing.

I would like to recommend that either this entire thread be closed down, or if not, that at least people should take a wait-and-see approach rather than projecting their own opinions and speculations as to what is going on or what it says about Qatar, Jews, Muslims, immigration illegal or otherwise, labor unions, consumer greed, corporate greed, labor practices in China or labor practices in general, and the availability of fake Hitler mustaches for this Halloween season.

+1

And I would also like to say, "never trust someone who doesn't have cat hair on their suit"

 

[NancyP]

I am waiting for a local NYC news source to report on this.

Would it surprise me if the B and H warehouse ran like the Amazon warehouses, which are notoriously hard places to work (risk being fired for bathroom breaks, etc). No. In most businesses the labor situation goes to the lowest common denominator. Non-visa'ed foreign workers (AKA undocumented immigrants, "illegal aliens", etc)? Let INS sort that out - after they sort out the cabbies, restaurant workers, and zillion other non-visa'ed foreign workers in the five boroughs. Might Al-Jazeera be a little hostile toward a Hasidic Jewish business - if the business owners are big supporters of West Bank settlements, sure, Al-Jazeera might not give the business the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Hjalmarg1]

This is not the first time that B&H Photo has been suit for improper working conditions and unfair treatment.
I just removed the items I had in my cart ready to buy and transferred them to Adorama. It's just me and I don't pretend anybody to do the same.