Amazon workers at the JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island, New York, have set a deadline of December 15 for the company to agree to begin negotiating a first union contract with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1 (IBT). If Amazon fails to meet this demand, workers across the US will stage an unfair labor practice strike. This would be the first large-scale strike at Amazon in the US.
The union win in March 2022 marked a significant milestone for Amazon workers, as they became the first warehouse at the retail giant to secure a union election victory. However, Amazon has yet to initiate contract negotiations despite filing objections to the election and accusing NLRB officials of bias.
Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien stated that the union will no longer ask Amazon to “stop breaking the law.” Instead, Amazon must commit to bargaining a Teamsters contract with its workers or face consequences. The team’s demands emphasize the importance of respecting workers’ rights under the National Labor Relations Act.
Amazon has been organizing workers in various locations across the US, including delivery drivers in several states and more than 1,000 workers demanding union recognition at an Amazon warehouse in southern California. Workers cite long hours and back-breaking work as reasons for their desire for a union and better working conditions.
The Teamsters have accused Amazon of disregarding labor laws, seeking to abolish the National Labor Relations Board, and intimidating workers who support the union. In response, Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards claimed that the Teamsters’ attempts to mislead the public about their representation are false. The company also faces multiple unfair labor practice charges related to its actions against the union.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/13/amazon-new-york-strike