Amazon Criticized for Asking Workers to Write to Mascot for Financial Help

Company Defends Initiative Amid Calls for Higher Wages, Despite Tripling Profits to $9.9 Billion

Amazon asked workers at a New York warehouse facing financial hardship to write to its company mascot, Peccy, for a chance to have some of their holiday wishes fulfilled.
Keith Williams, a worker at the warehouse, criticized the initiative, arguing that Amazon should be focusing on providing a living wage rather than such initiatives.
Amazon defended the initiative, calling it a 'well-intentioned holiday giving initiative' that received positive feedback from employees.
Amazon's profits tripled to $9.9 billion in the most recent quarter, and revenues for the three months ending September 30 topped $143 billion.
Amazon warehouse workers earn between $17 and $28 per hour, and have previously been required to work overtime hours, especially around the holidays.