Days before Christmas, American Amazon employees are planning to go on strike in protest of the company’s unfair treatment. According to Teamsters, Amazon worker’s strike was approved in southern California, New York, and Illinois.
The dispute stems from Amazon’s refusal to recognize unions or enter contract negotiations with workers by the 15th December deadline. The workers, led by Teamsters General President Sean M O’Brien, expressed frustration at the company’s stance.
O’Brien further accused the e-commerce giant of prioritizing profits over people. The union, which represents thousands of Amazon workers, claims unsafe conditions and unfair labor practices persist at many facilities.
Congressional investigators, led by Democrat senator Bernie Sanders, recently revealed that Amazon’s warehouse injury rates exceed the industry average by 30%. Additionally, workers complain that pressure to meet high fulfillment speeds worsens conditions.
Amazon’s JFK8 facility in Staten Island, which made history by unionizing in 2022, has announced strikes. Pickets are also planned at several California locations, the DBK4 warehouse in Queens and a site in Skokie, Illinois.
Meanwhile, warehouses near Atlanta could join if Amazon fails to engage in meaningful discussions. Amazon denies union claims, with spokesperson Eileen Hands asserting, “The truth is that the Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees.”
Eileen also criticized Senator Sanders’ report, stating it relied on outdated and misrepresented data. Despite criticism, the union is determined to push forward. O’Brien described Amazon workers as resilient and vowed to hold the company accountable to its employees and customers. Should the Amazon worker’s strike proceed, the widespread disruption threatens to affect holiday shopping and shipping operations nationwide.
