Amazon is investigating three engineers who testified against the company's AI data center expansion plans at Seattle city council hearings. The employees, members of Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, face potential disciplinary action after urging stricter regulations on data centers.
The engineers spoke at hearings on whether to pause AI data center buildouts. They called for renewable energy requirements and labor protections, and warned against rapid industry expansion before regulations catch up. The council later approved a year-long moratorium.
After the hearings, Amazon called each engineer in for meetings with HR. The company told them it was investigating their testimonies over concerns they may have spoken as representatives of Amazon rather than private citizens. The probe could lead to disciplinary measures.
Amazon Employees for Climate Justice filed a civil rights complaint on behalf of the three, alleging violation of a Seattle law that bars discrimination based on political ideology. Company spokesperson Margaret Callahan said Amazon does not tolerate retaliatory behavior and is reviewing whether procedures were followed.
This is not the first time the group has clashed with the company. In 2020 Amazon fired two AECJ organizers over climate and labor criticisms, later settling the case.
