Whole Foods employees across the country are going on strike to demand better worker protections amid the coronavirus pandemic.
On Tuesday, workers at the Amazon-owned grocery store chain participated in a so-called "mass sick out." They want paid leave for employees who isolate or self-quarantine, guaranteed hazard pay, free coronavirus testing, and other resources.
The sick out was originally scheduled for May 1. But Whole Worker — the group behind the movement — said it decided to act sooner as employees have reportedly started testing positive for COVID-19.
Amazon has been facing a wave of strikes in recent days. Warehouse workers in Staten Island walked off the job over safety concerns at their facility. They say workers aren't always properly distanced from each other, and the warehouse hasn't been sanitized even though multiple employees there have tested positive for the coronavirus.
An Amazon spokesperson said in a statement to reporters the company is working to keep its employees safe amid the ongoing pandemic while serving its customers.
Contains footage from CNN.
