Micro-strategies of Resistance - A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Micro-strategies of resistance

A MANUAL OF ACTIONS FOR A GLOBAL AMAZON STRIKE 1|

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Project overview “Soundscapes of Resistance” proposes to work at the intersection between underground rave culture and the oppressive logic of surveillance happening in the Amazon fulfillment centre.

Building on the genealogical relationship between post-industrial landscapes and countercultures of resistance, I take three key learnings from rave culture and apply them in the Amazon warehouse typology. The aim of the project is to effectively disrupt the surveillance and put Amazon workers in a position to negotiate with the company in order to achieve a union. The project proposes a coreography of micro-strategies of resistance which are to be implemented in different warehouses over a period of two weeks in order to precisely form unions across the network.

This happens in light of the recent events taking place in Amazon fulfillment centres in the USA, where the first Amazon Labour Union was achieved in April, 2022 in Staten Island, NY. However, the success was short-lived, for in May, 2022, in a different warehouse in Phoenix, Arizona, less than 50% workers voted to form a union as a result of Amazon’s counteracting propaganda against workers’ unions.

Learnings from rave culture 1) TEMPORARY SPACE - disrupting and

reconfiguring space for a specific time and duration.

2) OPACITY AT DIFFERENT LEVELS - the idea

of secrecy and concealment by distributing the sensible (what is seen or not seen, what is heard and not heard, what is felt and not felt etc).

3) SOUND as a driving force in defining how 2|

space works and is produced.

N.B. The following Manual is to be circulated amongst the Amazon workers. It is accessible via the Motorola handset.

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

01

Motorola WT41N0 Rugged Mobile Computer (Wristband handset)

Spatial implications:

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Allows Amazon workers to communicate nationally and globally Distributes the Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike Contains a real-time digital twin of the warehouse for workers to track where line managers and surveillance are located in the space

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

The wristband chat allows Amazon workers to connect across the globe by sharing information about the strike in order to put pressure of negotiating conditions with the company. Initially equipped with ultrasonic sensors to track workers movements, this has been hacked to allow them access to information only line managers have.

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A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Shipping Packing Area

Storage Area

Stowing Area

Receiving Area

Loading and Unloading

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Amazon Fulfillment Centre - Division of Logistics

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

SERVICE

IT

ADMIN

RETURNS

ARCHIVE

MANAGEMENT

FIRST AID

CONVEYOR BELT SYSTEM

Receiving Area

Shipping

Packing Area

Loading and Unloading

Storage Area

SERVICE

Pallet Staging Area

Stowing Area

6| Amazon Fulfillment Centre - Division of Logistics

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Picking and Packing Station A

7| CONVEYOR BELT SYSTEM

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A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

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A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Motorola WT41N0 Rugged Mobile Computer

FRONT VIEW

SIDE VIEW

TOP VIEW

AXONOMETRIC VIEW

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A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

SPECIFICATIONS: MOTOROLA WT41N0 SPECIFICATION PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS Dimensions 5.7 in. L x 3.7 in. W x 1.0 in. H 142 mm L x 93 mm W x 26 mm H Weight Terminal w/ Standard Battery: 11.3 oz. (8.4 oz. + 2.9 oz.)

320.3 g (238.1 g + 82.2 g) Terminal w/ Extended Battery: 13 oz. (8.4 oz. + 4.6 oz.)

369.8 g (238.1 g + 131.7 g) Holder: 2.5 oz./70.9 g (inc. straps and cushion)

Voice Recognition Can run voice recognition engines and text-tospeech engines for voice picking applications Communications USB (Host and Client) Audio Options AC 97 Compatible Codec to play audio over speaker or headset; microphone; simultaneous audio

Keyboard 23 key alpha-numeric for alpha entry: legacy color-coded alpha entry

USER ENVIRONMENT Operating Temp.

-4° to 122° F/-20° to 50° C -22° to 122° F/-30° to 50° C

Display Type Backlit color TFT, touch screen available

Storage Temp.

-40° to 158° F/-40° to 70° C

Display Resolution QVGA in landscape mode (320 x 240)

Humidity 5% to 95% non-condensing

Power Rechargeable Li-ion battery 2,400 mAh @ 3.7 VDC Extended rechargeable Li-ion battery 4,800 mAh @ 3.7 VDC

Drop Spec Multiple drops to concrete: 4 ft./1.2 m across the operating temperature range

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS Processor Dual Core OMAP 4 @ 1GHz

Sealing IP54 Category 2

Operating System Microsoft Windows Embedded Compact CE 7.0

Tumble Spec 500 one-half meter tumbles at room temperature (1,000 drops)

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) EN61000-4-2 15kV Air, 8kV contact, 8kV indirect

Memory 512 MB RAM ; 2 GB Flash

WIRELESS DATA COMMUNICATIONS WLAN IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n

Application Development Microsoft IDEs and Motorola SDKs

Output Power 100 mW U.S. and international

Voice Recognition Can run voice recognition engines and text-tospeech engines for voice picking applications

Printers Supports extensive line of approved printers

Communications USB (Host and Client)

Charger Four-slot battery charger

Audio Options AC 97 Compatible Codec to play audio over speaker or headset; microphone; simultaneous audio

Mounts Wrist-mount and hip-mount accessories are available

USER ENVIRONMENT Operating Temp.

-4° to 122° F/-20° to 50° C -22° to 122° F/-30° to 50° C

Other Accessories RS507/RS419/RS409/RS309 wearable scanners; RCH51 rugged headset; headset adapters; freezer pouches that extend the operating temperature range

Storage Temp.

-40° to 158° F/-40° to 70° C

11 |

Data Capture Options Wearable scanners RS507, RS419, RS409 and RS309 are optional accessories

REGULATORY Electrical Safety Certified to UL60950-1, CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1, EN60950/IEC 60950-1 plus all national deviations EMC

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike A - A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

12 |

B - Real-time Digital Twin space of warehouse

C - Encrypted chat connecting warehouse workers across the globe

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike to be distributed among workers; to access the manual Press 1; insert password 5793.

To access real-time space type 4; insert password sp4ce.

To access chat among workers type 9; insert your customized password.

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A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

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A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

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A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

02

KIVA Robotic Warehouse Picker

Spatial implications:

17 |

Delaying Stowing process Absenteeism

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Shipping Packing Area

Storage Area

Stowing Area

Receiving Area

Loading and Unloading

18 | Amazon Fulfillment Centre - Division of Logistics

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

SERVICE

IT

ADMIN

RETURNS

ARCHIVE

MANAGEMENT

FIRST AID

CONVEYOR BELT SYSTEM

Receiving Area

Shipping

Packing Area

Loading and Unloading

Storage Area

SERVICE

Pallet Staging Area

Stowing Area

19 | Amazon Fulfillment Centre - Division of Logistics

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

stowing area

Plan of stowing racks location

20 |

21 |

Elevation of stowing racks location

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike 22 | Location of existing safety cones in space

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

SAFETY CONES SPECIFICATIONS: Base 40cmx40cm, Base Dia. 75cm, Pick up from PALLET STAGING AREA

FRONT VIEW

TOP VIEW

23 |

SIDE VIEW

AXONOMETRIC VIEW

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

KIVA ROBOTIC WAREHOUSE PICKER SPECIFICATIONS: Outer Dia. 75cm, Inner Dia. Height 30cm.

Weight 110kg, Lifts up to 450Kg (Stowing rack) Speed 5km/h (3mph)

FRONT VIEW

TOP VIEW

24 |

SIDE VIEW

AXONOMETRIC VIEW

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Overview obstruction strategy to delay production

FRONT VIEW

PLAN KIVA ROBOTIC WAREHOUSE PICKER

25 |

SIDE VIEW

AXONOMETRIC VIEW

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

10:50:33 (BST) 06.06.2022

10:35:20 (BST) 06.06.2022

11:20:47 (BST) 06.06.2022

Worker 2 heading to stowing station

Worker 3 heading to conveyor belt station D

rotate s9 0

Worker 1 heading to pallet staging area

ates 90° rot

°

(move 150 cm)

(move 150 cm)

90° tes ta ro

(move 150 cm)

KIVA Robotic Warehouse picker (parking area)

KIVA Stowing Racks (stand-by)

90° tes ta ro

KIVA Stowing Racks (stand-by)

s 90° tate ro

KIVA Robotic Warehouse picker (parking area)

KIVA Stowing Racks (stand-by)

KIVA Robotic Warehouse picker (parking area)

12:25:43 (BST) 06.06.2022

12:10:00 (BST) 06.06.2022

(move 100 cm)

rotate s9 0

Worker 6 heading to delivery station A

°

(move 100 cm)

ro ta

0° s9 te

Worker 5 heading to delivery station C

13:55:00 (BST) 06.06.2022

13:35:27 (BST) 06.06.2022

14:10:00 (BST) 06.06.2022

Worker 8 heading to delivery station A

Worker 7 heading to picking station

(move 300 cm)

(move 150 cm)

Arrival at Stowing Station

s

° 90

rot at e

° 90

90° es at

s

° 90

rot at e

s

s

° 90

rot at e

rot at e

ro t

26 |

Sequence of movement of cones in space

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

10:35:20 (BST) 06.06.2022

Worker 1 heading to pallet staging area

s 90° tate ro

KIVA Robotic Warehouse picker (parking area)

Sequence 1

27 |

(move 150 cm)

KIVA Stowing Racks (stand-by)

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

10:50:33 (BST) 06.06.2022

Worker 2 heading to stowing station

ates 90° rot

(move 150 cm)

90° tes ta o r

90° tes ta ro

KIVA Robotic Warehouse picker (parking area)

Sequence 2

28 |

KIVA Stowing Racks (stand-by)

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

11:20:47 (BST) 06.06.2022

rotate s9 0

Worker 3 heading to conveyor belt station D

°

Sequence 3

29 |

KIVA Robotic Warehouse picker (parking area)

KIVA Stowing Racks (stand-by)

(move 150 cm)

rotate s9 0

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

11:35:57 (BST) 06.06.2022

°

(move 200 cm)

rotate s9 0

Worker 4 heading to stowing station

KIVA Robotic Warehouse picker (parking area)

Sequence 4

30 |

°

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

12:10:00 (BST) 06.06.2022

rotate s9 0

(move 100 cm)

°

Worker 5 heading to delivery station C

Sequence 5

31 |

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

12:25:43 (BST) 06.06.2022

Worker 6 heading to delivery station A

(move 100 cm)

ro ta

0° s9 te

Sequence 6

32 |

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

13:35:27 (BST) 06.06.2022

Worker 7 heading to picking station

(move 150 cm)

s

° 90

Sequence 7

33 |

rot at e

rot at e

s

° 90

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

13:55:00 (BST) 06.06.2022

Worker 8 heading to delivery station A

34 |

° 90

90° es t a

Sequence 8

s

ro t

rot at e

(move 300 cm)

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

14:10:00 (BST) 06.06.2022

Arrival at Stowing Station

rot at e s

° 90

Sequence 9

35 |

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Worker on his way to picking station displacing KIVA robot movement

36 |

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

03

Reconfiguring product order on shelf

Spatial implications:

37 |

Micro-disruption of productivity in picking and delivery Boycotting the display and distribution of products

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Shipping Packing Area

Storage Area

Stowing Area

Receiving Area

Loading and Unloading

38 |

Amazon Fulfillment Centre - Division of Logistics

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

SERVICE

IT

ADMIN

RETURNS

ARCHIVE

MANAGEMENT

FIRST AID

CONVEYOR BELT SYSTEM

Receiving Area

Shipping

Packing Area

Loading and Unloading

Storage Area

SERVICE

Pallet Staging Area

Stowing Area

39 | Amazon Fulfillment Centre - Division of Logistics

40 |

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Regular warehouse storage

41 |

Amazon warehouse storage

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

In an Amazon fulfillment centre, items are randomly stocked on purpose as opposed to a typical warehouse that stores products that are similar together

N.B. Pickers scan every item that they randomly stock in order for Amazon computer system to know where each item is located. This allows for more route options and thus, for finding a statistical outlier that is an usually short rute. If robots are used, the routes can be optimized to avoid crashing on the way.

42 |

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike 43 |

N.B. With every order placed, a picker is to collect the product(s) and move position of another product one shelf above.

If every picker contributes to this micro-disruption, delivery times will decrease and productivity would be temporarily altered.

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A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

04

Reconfigured seating space - soundproof booth

Spatial implications:

45 |

Allowing for a secret conversation to be had among workers A protocol for boycotting An audio-visual barrier from line managers

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Shipping Packing Area

Storage Area

Stowing Area

Receiving Area

Loading and Unloading

46 |

Amazon Fulfillment Centre - Division of Logistics

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

SERVICE

IT

ADMIN

RETURNS

ARCHIVE

MANAGEMENT

FIRST AID

CONVEYOR BELT SYSTEM

Receiving Area

Shipping

Packing Area

Loading and Unloading

Storage Area

SERVICE

Pallet Staging Area

Stowing Area

47 | Amazon Fulfillment Centre - Division of Logistics

48 |

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Reconfigured seating space

FRONT VIEW

TOP VIEW

49 |

SIDE VIEW

AXONOMETRIC VIEW

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

iNSTRUCTIONS: Remove boxes according to below section and form a barricade on the sides with the boxes that have been taken out. Proceed with this operation at night-time - reconfigure no more than 3 racks in the same day.

Change meeting space on warehouse floor at no later than 3 days for privacy and opacity.

Regular Prime Delivery Box 75cm x 75cm x 50

For optimal acoustic insulation place every 2 rows of boxes cantilevered 2.5cm

Remove columns of boxes in the centre ( 7x5 rows = 35 boxes) and set aside towards conveyor belt area in order not to be tracked; cardboard boxes will provide acoustic insulation, thus allowing for a secret conversation to be had.

External boxes to be cantilevered 2.5 cm for optimal acoustic insulation.

50 |

51 |View from Conveyor Belt Area.

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

05

Amazon Scout DLVR forming barricade - connected to Alexa (voice recognition system)

Spatial implications:

52 |

Delaying transport and delivery of goods and services across the network

53 |

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

SERVICE

IT

ADMIN

RETURNS

ARCHIVE

MANAGEMENT

FIRST AID

CONVEYOR BELT SYSTEM

Receiving Area

Shipping

Packing Area

Loading and Unloading

Storage Area

SERVICE

Pallet Staging Area

Stowing Area

54 | Amazon Fulfillment Centre - Division of Logistics

55 |

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Robots forming a barricade upon hearing keywords

56 |

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

AMAZON DLVR Scout Robot SPECIFICATIONS: Height 75cm Width 50cm Length 50cm Patrols corridors up and down to ensure the floor is clear

FRONT VIEW

TOP VIEW

57 |

SIDE VIEW

AXONOMETRIC VIEW

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike Alexa Skills Kit: Processing a Request

58 |

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Reversing Alexa (through Echo Voice Squatting) to pronounce the keywords; DLVR Scouts are hacked through an accelerometer which (via Bluetooth) to move in the way of the door forming a barricade when products are out for delivery

59 |

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Speaker system with built-in Alexa; when hacked, she pronounces keywords which interrupt machinery workflow

60 |

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

patrolling floor in-between storage racks and stalls

patrolling floor in-between stowing and picking stations

patrolling along conveyor belt

61 |

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Alexa pronouncing keywords

Alexa pronouncing keywords

Barricade (Phase2)

trucks waiting to pick up delivery

trucks waiting to pick up delivery

trucks waiting to pick up delivery

Barricade (Phase3)

Barricade (Phase1)

Alexa pronouncing keywords

The three phases of the voice recognition barricade

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A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Alexa pronouncing keywords

trucks waiting to pick up delivery

Barricade (Phase1)

63 |

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Alexa pronouncing keywords

trucks waiting to pick up delivery

Barricade (Phase2)

64 |

A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike

Alexa pronouncing keywords

trucks waiting to pick up delivery

Barricade (Phase3)

65 |

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A Manual of Actions for a Global Amazon Strike