2024 Teamsters Amazon Strike

On December 19, 2024, Teamsters union declared a strike against Amazon.[1] Teamsters claims it is the largest strike yet against Amazon,[2] with seven thousand workers (less than 1% of Amazon's US workforce)[3] at eight locations in California, Georgia, Illinois, and New York.[2]

Amazon claims the strike will not impact holiday deliveries and that Teamsters does not represent any Amazon employees.[2] However, the National Labor Relations Board has ruled that one group of employees at one location (Staten Island) belong to a union (Amazon Labor Union, which started independently in 2021 but affiliated with the Teamsters in June 2024), though Amazon is appealing that ruling.[1][3]

Amazon claimed that the strike was an attempt to intimidate Amazon employees.[2]

Background

Teamsters claimed that Amazon ignored their December 15 negotiating deadline.[1] "We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members. They ignored it," said Teamsters President Sean O'Brien. Amazon denied this claim.[2]

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel claimed that Teamsters is attempting "to push a false narrative" that they represent thousands of Amazon workers. She claimed that Teamsters tried to threaten and coerce Amazon and third-party drivers into joining Teamsters, and that that "is the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges against the union."[2]

Third-party drivers

Amazon contracts with third-party agencies who employ drivers. These drivers consider themselves Amazon workers, as they are required to wear Amazon uniforms, drive Amazons trucks, and have their routes and packages controlled by Amazon. Amazon does not consider them Amazon employees.[2]

Teamsters argues that they have joint employers under the National Labor Relations Board ruling.[3]

One driver claimed that "these third party contractors don’t exist without Amazon" and were simply an attempt by Amazon to shed negotiating responsibility.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Moore, Jack; Shalvey, Kevin (December 20, 2024). "Teamsters say 'momentum continues' as Christmastime strike against Amazon enters 2nd day". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Lenthang, Marlene; Gile, Charlie; Kreutz, Liz; Nious, Kevin (2024-12-20). "Teamsters announce strike against Amazon amid holiday delivery rush". NBC News. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  3. ^ a b c d Isidore, Chris (2024-12-19). "Thousands of Amazon drivers have gone on strike in the thick of the holiday package season | CNN Business". CNN. Retrieved 2024-12-20. Members of the Teamsters union have announced are striking at eight facilities across four states, and even though the Teamsters claim to represent 7,000 Amazon workers nationwide, that accounts for less than 1% of the company's US workforce.