(LibertySociety.com) – Amazon is shutting down one of its grocery fulfillment centers in West Sacramento, California, leading to layoffs for nearly 160 employees. The closure of the facility, located on Ramos Drive, is scheduled for October 30, according to a notice filed with the state Employment Development Department, as reported by The Sacramento Bee. The layoffs will affect five managers and 154 associates working at the site.
Sam Stephenson, an Amazon spokesperson, confirmed that employees impacted by the closure will have the chance to find jobs at other Amazon facilities in the area. He explained that the decision to close the West Sacramento location came after Amazon opted not to renew the lease for the facility. Despite the shutdown, Stephenson assured that the closure would not affect the company’s customers in the region.
The retail giant is also planning to shutter another facility in Irvine, California, where 162 employees work. That location will close on November 7, following the expiration of its lease. As Amazon navigates these changes, the company has emphasized its commitment to minimizing the impact on employees by offering job placement opportunities within the organization.
While Amazon faces logistical changes with these closures, the company has also been in the spotlight for its Alexa voice assistant and its responses to politically charged questions. As reported by Breitbart and Variety, social media users have noted a discrepancy in Alexa’s answers when asked about the 2024 presidential candidates. When asked, “Why should I vote for Donald Trump?” Alexa responded with, “I cannot provide content that promotes a specific political party or a specific candidate.” However, when asked about Kamala Harris, Alexa sometimes gave detailed responses praising Harris, highlighting her role as the first female vice president and her focus on progressive ideals.
These reports of differing responses have sparked discussions online, with many users sharing videos of their experiences across platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Some have noted that the responses varied depending on the model of their Alexa device. This attention adds to ongoing scrutiny of Amazon’s influence and its role in political conversations as the 2024 election approaches.
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