Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, richest man in the world
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos bought The Washington Post in 2013, and the petition says that unionized staff under the Washington Post Guild are "extremely grateful" that Bezos stepped in when he did. Employees are now campaigning for better pay, benefits, and job security.
"All we are asking for is fairness for each and every employee who contributed to this company's success," the petition states. "Fair wages; fair benefits for retirement, family leave and health care; and a fair amount of job security."
They released a video alongside the petition, which you can watch below:
In the video, the employees say that more than a year ago the Guild's bargaining committee entered into negotiations with The Post.
Although they managed to secure some benefits - including the right to ask for pay review based on the possibility of gender- or minority-based pay disparity - they said they were met with a "profound unwillingness by the Post's top management to meet us half-way on a lot of the issues that are important to us."
Specifically mentioned in the petition were pay increases of $10 a week, which workers said is less than half the current rate of inflation. They said it is "unfair and even shocking from someone who believes democracy dies in darkness."
Also mentioned is a refusal to improve retirement benefits, cutting severance pay, and Post demands that laid-off employees waive their legal rights to receive severance payments.
The Washington Post declined to comment. Business Insider has contacted the Washington Post Guild.
Comment: Good luck with that! Bezos isn't known for his generosity or concern for his employees: