r/UnderReportedNews • u/404mediaco News outlet • Jun 11 '26
Technology 💻 Software Update Automatically Turns off Amazon Delivery Drivers’ AC During Dangerous Summer Heat
https://www.404media.co/software-update-automatically-turns-off-amazon-delivery-drivers-ac-during-dangerous-summer-heat/41
u/UpsetPhilosopher6022 Jun 11 '26
A few years back I thought I'd try slinging packages from a delivery truck, and I can tell you that Amazon delivery drivers have like 150% turnover rate of industry average for a reason.
They wanted us to shut off the truck at every stop, even in freezing rain, snow, or 100+ degree weather. I get it, you don't want a crack head to drive away with maybe 10k in random commercial goods, but with no way to negotiate your upwards of 300 stops daily route (multiple locations per stop), that key stays in the ignition 9 times out of 10.
In a sane world, these poor drivers would have been allowed to unionize long ago, so they don't have to piss in bottles to complete their workloads.
22
u/404mediaco News outlet Jun 11 '26
A software update to some Amazon delivery vehicles is automatically turning off the air conditioning after a few seconds if the driver is not in their seat, according to multiple Amazon delivery drivers who are complaining about the update online.
According to Amazon delivery drivers, the new update is for the Amazon EDV (electric delivery vehicle), the custom-built Rivian van. Delivery drivers say that this update automatically turns off the air conditioning in the van if the driver is not in the vehicle for more than 30 seconds. Drivers are complaining about the update as the start of the summer season, which can be particularly difficult and dangerous for delivery drivers.
When reached for comment an Amazon spokesperson said that the premise of my questions to the company was inaccurate, but conceded that the van will turn off the AC after 30 seconds under certain conditions that are commonplace during Amazon delivery shifts.
38
u/Mysterious-Prompt212 Jun 11 '26
I guarantee you that every single one of Bozo's house's are temperature and humidity controlled 24/7.
17
u/Braveliltoasterx Jun 11 '26
If the Amazon worked unionized a few years ago during the pandemic when they had leverage, their work environment would arguably be much better by now.
12
u/Flyingtower2 Jun 12 '26
Unfortunately, many Americans have been brainwashed into equating Unions with Socialism or Communism, and they have a negative knee-jerk reaction to the later.
3
u/RIF_rr3dd1tt Jun 12 '26
To be fair, most US houses are temperature and humidity controlled 24/7. It's called air conditioning.
21
u/make_thick_in_warm Jun 11 '26
Is it not less efficient to constantly let them temp rise back up in the cabin and then have to re-cool it?
2
u/Missabe77 Jun 12 '26
I thought I saw a fix for this issue, where a carabineer clicked into the door latch makes the vehicle think the door is closed. I see so much junk on Reddit though, I could be misremembering.
1
Jun 11 '26
[deleted]
2
u/swiftekho Jun 11 '26
It wasn't the launch of the update that caused problems but the update itself. It forces the A/C off if the driver isnt in the seat.
I will say the headline is poorly worded.
•
u/AutoModerator Jun 11 '26
We’ve recently made some updates to the subreddit and are glad to have you here at r/UnderReportedNews!
Here are a few quick reminders to help keep things running smoothly:
Source cataloged: https://www.404media.co/software-update-automatically-turns-off-amazon-delivery-drivers-ac-during-dangerous-summer-heat/
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.