Trump’s Attack on Worker Protections: Appointing Amazon’s David Keeling to Head OSHA
Under the insidious guise of promoting bureaucratic efficiency, the Trump administration has embarked on a ruthless campaign to dismantle federal agencies that safeguard worker rights and consumer safety. This insidious agenda has reached a new low with Trump’s appalling nomination of David Keeling, a former executive of Amazon, to lead the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).
Keeling’s appointment is a blatant mockery of worker safety. Amazon, the behemoth he once served, has a long and checkered history of flouting worker health and safety regulations. OSHA has repeatedly clashed with Amazon over its abysmal safety record, citing the company for numerous violations over the years.
In 2022 and 2023 alone, OSHA issued citations for various safety lapses at Amazon warehouses. Last February, the agency once again penalized Amazon for worker protection breaches at three of its facilities. OSHA’s assistant secretary, Doug Parker, rightly condemned Amazon’s "hazardous work conditions and processes, leading to serious worker injuries."
A recent Senate investigation further exposed Amazon’s willful disregard for worker safety. The investigation found that the company had repeatedly ignored internal research indicating that its stringent work quotas were directly contributing to employee injuries.
Keeling’s background further raises concerns about his suitability for the role of OSHA administrator. Before joining Amazon, he served as UPS’s director of safety compliance and vice president of global health and safety. Notably, UPS also faced OSHA citations for safety violations during Keeling’s tenure.
Keeling’s LinkedIn post expressing gratitude for Trump’s nomination is a testament to the administration’s disregard for worker wellbeing. He envisions a collaboration with Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling to "further OSHA’s mission."
Sonderling, a former Labor Department official in Trump’s first administration, has a dubious track record. He authored federal guidance classifying gig workers as contractors rather than employees, a move that favored ride-sharing giants Uber and Lyft at the expense of worker protections.
Amazon’s response to regulatory scrutiny has been predictably adversarial. Last year, the company joined forces with SpaceX to file a lawsuit challenging the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), accusing it of unconstitutionality. If Keeling’s nomination is confirmed, Amazon would essentially have an insider leading the agency responsible for investigating its safety practices.
The consequences of Keeling’s appointment could be dire for American workers. OSHA, under his leadership, could become an ineffective toothless tiger, unable to hold Amazon and other corporations accountable for workplace safety violations.
This is not merely a matter of abstract policy. Workers’ lives are at stake. Amazon’s safety record is a testament to the urgency of strong regulatory oversight. Keeling’s nomination is a dangerous gambit that could have devastating consequences for the health and safety of countless American workers.
The Trump administration’s assault on worker protections is a betrayal of fundamental American values. The government’s primary responsibility is to protect its citizens, especially those who are most vulnerable. By undermining OSHA and appointing industry insiders to key regulatory roles, the administration is abdicating this responsibility.
Keeling’s confirmation would be a resounding victory for corporate interests and a devastating defeat for worker rights. It is imperative that the Senate reject this nomination and stand up for the safety and well-being of American workers.
