Over 10,000 Amazon workers at seven facilities across the US, including in New York, Atlanta, and California, have gone on strike in an effort led by the Teamsters Union to secure labor agreements during the holiday shopping season.
The Teamsters, representing a small fraction of Amazon’s 1.5 million employees, accuse Amazon of disregarding a December 15 negotiation deadline. Workers are demanding fair wages, safer working conditions, and recognition of their union following Amazon’s refusal to negotiate.
Learn more about the all-new VT News and subscribe today!
Teamsters Union President Sean O’Brien is blaming the company’s “greed” for potential holiday delivery delays.
“If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed. We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members. They ignored it,” Teamsters head Sean O’Brien said in an X post. “These greedy executives had every chance to show decency and respect for the people who make their obscene profits possible. Instead, they’ve pushed workers to the limit and now they’re paying the price. This strike is on them.”
TEAMSTERS LAUNCH LARGEST STRIKE AGAINST AMAZON IN AMERICAN HISTORY
The Teamsters will launch the largest strike against Amazon in U.S. history beginning at 6 a.m. EST on Thurs., Dec. 19. The nationwide action follows Amazon’s repeated refusal to follow the law and bargain with… pic.twitter.com/A06NKciCDB
— Teamsters (@Teamsters) December 19, 2024
The strike has the potential to cause significant disruptions during the busy holiday season, as primary picket lines have been established at Amazon fulfillment centers nationwide.
Amazon, however, expects no significant operational disruptions and claims the Teamsters have misled the public regarding union representation. The company is also challenging labor relations board rulings related to unionization efforts.
“For more than a year now, the Teamsters have continued to intentionally mislead the public – claiming that they represent ‘thousands of Amazon employees and drivers.’ They don’t, and this is another attempt to push a false narrative,” Amazon spokeswoman Kelly Nantel told the Associated Press.
“Our employees have a choice of whether or not to join a union. They always have,” she continued in a separate statement to CNN. “We favor opportunities for each person to be respected and valued as an individual and to have their unique voice heard by working directly with our team.”
Despite the strike, Amazon’s shares continued to rise, indicating investor confidence in the company’s resilience.
The strike underscores ongoing tensions between Amazon and labor unions amid broader discussions on workers’ rights and conditions.
Add comment