Amazon investigating workers who testified against AI data centers

Key Takeaways

• Three Amazon employees are under investigation for testifying in favor of Seattle's one-year AI data center moratorium
• The workers claim Amazon intimidated them during HR meetings and is now monitoring them at work
• Amazon says the employees may have violated policy by appearing to speak as company representatives

Amazon is investigating three employees who testified before the Seattle City Council in favor of the city's new AI data center moratorium, according to Bloomberg. The workers, all members of Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ), say the company called them into separate HR meetings, intimidated them, and is now monitoring their work activity. They could face termination.

Darius Irani, Patrick Schloesser, and Liesl Wigand spoke as private citizens during public comment sessions that led to Seattle becoming the first major U.S. city to impose a one-year ban on new AI data centers. Now their jobs are on the line.

What Amazon says the employees did wrong

Amazon's position hinges on a distinction between speaking as a private citizen and speaking as a company representative. Margaret Callahan, an Amazon spokesperson, told Bloomberg that while employees can discuss their working environment, they crossed a line by appearing to represent the company.

“As we looked more closely at how these employees represented themselves, and how their comments were received by others, it became clear that they may have been speaking in their capacity as Amazonians and not as private citizens.”

— Margaret Callahan, Amazon spokesperson

The company claims it applies its policies consistently. But lawyers for the three employees dispute this framing entirely. In a letter to the Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR), they stated that Irani, Schloesser, and Wigand did not use company time, did not mention their employer, and did not share proprietary information during their testimony.

How the employees describe the investigation

The three workers paint a different picture than Amazon's measured corporate statement suggests. They allege that the Zoom meetings with HR staff were intimidating. Since those calls, they say, the company has been monitoring their activities at work. Their attorneys believe the investigation could lead to discipline or termination.

The employees have filed a complaint with the SOCR, a local government agency that enforces anti-discrimination laws. They want the agency to determine whether Amazon's investigation constitutes retaliation for exercising their rights as citizens to participate in local government.

A pattern with Amazon and climate activists

This is not Amazon's first clash with AECJ members. In 2020, the company fired two workers who had been part of the group's leadership. Their offense: publicly criticizing safety conditions in Amazon warehouses during the pandemic. That incident generated significant backlash and led to NLRB complaints.

AECJ formed in 2019 and has organized walkouts and gathered thousands of employee signatures on public letters criticizing Amazon's environmental practices. The group represents an ongoing tension within the company between corporate strategy and employee activism.

Amazon's AI infrastructure buildout is a central piece of its business strategy. The company has planned over $100 billion in infrastructure investments for 2024-2025, with data centers consuming a growing share. AI data centers now contribute to an estimated 15-20% increase in corporate energy consumption nationally. These facilities also draw substantial water resources for cooling.

Why Seattle passed the moratorium

Seattle's one-year ban on new AI data centers reflects growing community concern about the environmental impact of these facilities. Residents and local officials cite worries about higher electricity costs, reduced water pressure, and noise pollution. Amazon has tried to counter this narrative by highlighting its water efficiency compared to other hyperscalers, but the perception problem persists.

The moratorium gives the city time to study impacts and potentially craft regulations. For Amazon, which is headquartered in Seattle, the ban carries symbolic weight beyond its immediate business effect.

What happens next

Amazon says it has not made a decision yet. The investigation remains open. But the company's track record with climate activists suggests these situations rarely end well for the employees involved.

The SOCR complaint adds a legal dimension that could complicate Amazon's options. If the agency finds evidence of retaliation, it could expose the company to enforcement action. More immediately, stories like this make it harder for Amazon to present itself as a responsible corporate citizen while it lobbies against data center restrictions.

The tech industry is watching. As AI infrastructure expands and communities push back, the question of whether employees can participate in local debates without risking their jobs will recur. Amazon's handling of this case will set a precedent, whether the company intends it to or not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Amazon fire employees for testifying at a city council meeting?

Legally, it depends on whether the testimony was protected speech. Washington state has some protections for off-duty political activity, and retaliation for participating in government proceedings could violate civil rights laws. The SOCR complaint will help determine whether Amazon's actions constitute illegal retaliation.

What is Amazon Employees for Climate Justice?

AECJ is an internal worker advocacy group founded in 2019. Members have organized walkouts, signed public letters, and pushed Amazon to adopt stronger environmental policies. The group has clashed with company leadership multiple times.

What is Seattle's AI data center moratorium?

Seattle became the first major U.S. city to pass a one-year ban on new AI data center construction in early 2025. The moratorium allows the city to study environmental impacts including energy consumption, water usage, and noise before allowing new facilities.

Has Amazon fired climate activists before?

Yes. In 2020, Amazon terminated two AECJ leaders who had publicly criticized warehouse safety conditions during the pandemic. Those firings led to NLRB complaints and significant public criticism of the company.

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