Teamsters Launch Largest Strike Against Amazon in American History

Amazon workers associated with the Teamsters union have gone on strike at seven delivery hubs across the United States just days before Christmas. The strikes, involving delivery drivers employed by contractors rather than Amazon directly, began Thursday after Amazon declined to meet a Sunday deadline for contract negotiations. The striking workers are demanding higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. Amazon maintains that it is not the employer of the subcontracted drivers and has therefore refused to negotiate, leading to accusations from the union and the filing of unfair labor charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

The walkouts are occurring in Southern California, San Francisco, New York City, Atlanta, Georgia, and Skokie, Illinois. While the Teamsters claim they represent 10,000 Amazon workers across 10 facilities, they have not disclosed how many workers are actively participating in the strike or how long it is expected to last. Some workers at additional locations have reportedly authorized strikes and may join the effort.

Amazon has downplayed the potential impact of the strike on holiday deliveries, citing its robust logistics network and partnerships with carriers like UPS. The company stated that contingency plans are in place to minimize operational disruptions. However, prolonged strikes could delay shipments in some metropolitan areas.

The unionization efforts have faced significant pushback from Amazon. In 2022, a group of delivery drivers in California unionized under the Teamsters, but Amazon refused to engage in bargaining, prompting the NLRB to classify Amazon as a “joint employer” of these workers. In September, Amazon raised wages for some drivers amidst pressure. Similarly, warehouse workers in Staten Island, New York, who unionized in 2022, have struggled to bring Amazon to the negotiating table as the company has challenged the legitimacy of their union election in court.

Despite Amazon’s claim that the strikers are “outsiders” and not directly affiliated with the company, the Teamsters have continued to organize workers and push for recognition and contract negotiations. Some organizers believe that striking is the only way to compel Amazon to engage in bargaining.

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