NEWARK, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- Protesters rallied on the border of Elizabeth and Newark, New Jersey on Saturday against a deal between the Port Authority and Amazon to build a 23 acre cargo hub at the Newark Liberty Airport.
An October report from the labor advocacy organization Hedge Clippers found the $462 million deal was made behind closed doors and violated the Port Authority Board’s transparency rules which require an opportunity for public comment.
Opponents of the hub take issue with the secretive nature of the deal and worry it will displace union jobs, exacerbate an already existing pollution problem that primarily impacts communities of color that live near the airport and increase traffic.
Saturday’s rally was primarily attended by union members and community members who railed against Amazon’s abusive labor practices, WCBS 880 reported.
"Amazon's touting good jobs. What kind of jobs?” a union worker from Elizabeth told WCBS 880 at the protest. “I'm a teamster. I know what kind of jobs. Jobs that are high turnover. No benefits. Low wage. We don't need that. I'm not willing to exchange my health or my family's health for subpar jobs any longer."
Amazon and the Port Authority have not responded to requests for comment.
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