Amazon employees aligned with the Teamsters union have extended their strike across seven company delivery hubs, coinciding with the busy holiday season just before Christmas.
Workers who recently voted to authorize the strikes began picketing on Thursday after Amazon disregarded a deadline set by the union for contract discussions last Sunday. Additionally, employees from Starbucks locations are initiating a five-day strike starting Friday to express their dissatisfaction with stagnant contract negotiations with the coffee chain.
In response, Amazon has indicated that it does not anticipate any disruptions to holiday shipments due to the strike affecting delivery stations.
Each delivery hub is staffed by a few hundred employees, and the Teamsters’ primary focus has been on organizing the delivery drivers, who are employed by contractors supplying delivery services for Amazon. However, Amazon has consistently rejected the union’s requests to negotiate, arguing that these drivers are not its employees.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters asserts that it also represents some workers at Amazon’s warehouses.
### Strike Locations
The strike is occurring at three delivery hubs in Southern California, with one hub each in San Francisco, New York City, Atlanta, Georgia, and Skokie, Illinois, as noted by the union’s recent announcement.
Details regarding the number of striking workers or the anticipated duration of their strike have not been disclosed. Vinnie Perrone, president of a local Teamsters union in the New York metro area, stated that the strike would persist “as long as it takes.”
The union, claiming to represent 10,000 Amazon workers across 10 facilities, has indicated that more workers in additional locations are ready to join the action.
Workers at an Amazon air hub in California and those at a New York warehouse, which recently unionized under the newly formed Amazon Labor Union before joining the Teamsters, have also authorized strikes. The Teamsters have announced that their local units are establishing picket lines at various other Amazon warehouses.
A representative from Amazon remarked that the striking workers were “mostly outsiders, not Amazon employees or partners, and the suggestion otherwise is just another lie from the Teamsters.”
Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien is scheduled to join union members on the picket line at one of the California locations on Friday.
### Workers’ Demands
The workers on strike are advocating for higher wages, improved benefits, and safer working conditions.
Since last year, the Teamsters have sought negotiations with Amazon after claiming union representation for a group of delivery drivers in California working for a contractor. Amazon, insisting it does not employ these drivers, has not engaged in talks, prompting the union to file unfair labor practice claims with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
In August, the NLRB classified Amazon as a “joint employer” of the subcontracted drivers, and in September, the firm raised the hourly wage for these drivers amid increasing scrutiny.
Workers at an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island who successfully voted to unionize have also attempted to encourage the company to enter contract negotiations. The NLRB accepted the Amazon Labor Union’s election; however, the company objected and declined to negotiate. Amazon has even initiated a lawsuit challenging the NLRB’s authority, claiming it influenced the vote improperly.
Organizers who took part in this effort have long suspected that Amazon would remain unyielding at the negotiating table until a strike occurred.
### Impact on Holiday Deliveries
While Amazon claims that the strike will not affect operational capabilities, a prolonged walkout could lead to shipment delays in some metropolitan regions.
A spokesperson highlighted that Amazon strategically locates its facilities near customers, coordinates shipping schedules, and collaborates with major carriers like UPS to facilitate deliveries. “We believe in the strength of our network and plan for contingencies to minimize potential operational impact or costs,” the spokesperson stated.
