Amazon warehouse workers and drivers in seven US facilities walked off the job indefinitely, joining a nationwide strike against the company. The Teamsters union, which represents over 10,000 Amazon employees, claims that the company has refused to bargain with them. The striking workers are seeking higher pay, better safety precautions, and job security.
Amazon officials say they prefer direct relationships with their employees and claim that subcontracting is necessary for their business model. However, a US labor board has ruled that Amazon must be held liable for anti-union activity as a joint employer of its subcontracted drivers.
Workers described feeling like “disposable” under the third-party employment model, where Amazon hires and fires subcontractors without regard for their well-being. They point to incidents such as being assaulted on the job and denied compensation for time off as evidence of Amazon’s disregard for their safety and rights.
The strike is part of a larger campaign by the Teamsters union to organize Amazon employees nationwide. The company has been accused of severing ties with subcontractors at certain facilities after workers demanded union representation.
Amazon spokeswoman Kelly Nantel claimed that the Teamsters do not represent “thousands of Amazon employees and drivers” but are instead trying to mislead the public. However, the union says that its efforts are aimed at holding Amazon accountable for its treatment of workers.
As tensions simmered down during a chaotic morning picket, about 100 NYPD officers were deployed to maintain order. Supporters from other unions and advocacy groups joined the striking workers, many expressing solidarity over concerns about worker safety and fair pay.
The strike marks a significant escalation in the labor dispute between Amazon and the Teamsters union. With the Christmas holiday approaching, Amazon workers are sending a message that they will no longer tolerate exploitation and mistreatment on the job.
Source: https://www.thecity.nyc/2024/12/19/amazon-delivery-strike-queens