Teamsters Strike Hits Amazon During Holiday Delivery Rush
Members of the Teamsters union launched a strike early Thursday, targeting Amazon facilities in four states. The labor action, starting in Queens, New York, at 6 a.m. ET, is set to expand to six additional locations, including Skokie, Illinois; Atlanta, Georgia; and facilities in California.
Amazon, however, downplayed the strike’s impact, stating that its operations would remain unaffected. The Teamsters claim to represent 7,000 Amazon workers nationwide, though this represents less than 1% of Amazon’s U.S. workforce.
Union Leaders Call for Accountability
“If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed,” said Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien in a statement posted on X. The union argues that Amazon’s refusal to negotiate, despite a deadline set for December 15, forced their hand.
Drivers at the Skokie facility echoed these sentiments. Luke Cianciotto, speaking before the strike, highlighted the financial strain many workers face: “Many of us don’t have any Christmas presents under the tree this year. The wages and hours we get working for Amazon simply aren’t enough to get by in today’s economy.”
Fellow driver Ash’shura Brooks criticized Amazon’s prioritization of profits over people. “It’s no longer going to be packages over people, profit over people. It’s people over packages, people over profits,” Brooks stated.
Amazon Pushes Back
Amazon has denied the union’s claims, asserting that the Teamsters do not represent its employees. “The Teamsters’ conduct this past year, and this week, is illegal,” said Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel. She also accused the union of orchestrating a publicity campaign and reiterated that Amazon offers competitive wages, benefits, and opportunities for growth.
Nantel rejected the notion that striking workers, who are employed by third-party contractors, are Amazon employees. However, workers argue that their roles are inseparable from the company. “We wear Amazon vests and deliver in Amazon vans,” said Brooks. Cianciotto added that using third-party contractors is a tactic for Amazon to avoid bargaining directly with drivers.
Union Efforts and Challenges
The Teamsters are banking on the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) joint employer rule, which could compel Amazon to negotiate as a co-employer. However, this rule faces potential reversal under the incoming presidential administration, which may appoint a more business-friendly NLRB.
Despite setbacks, unionization efforts persist. The Amazon Labor Union (ALU) won a landmark election in Staten Island in April 2022, though Amazon continues to challenge the results in court. While the Teamsters recently affiliated with the ALU, no strike has been announced for the Staten Island warehouse, despite previous authorization from its members.
High Stakes During Holiday Season
The timing of the strike—just a week before Christmas and Hanukkah—aims to exert maximum pressure on Amazon during its busiest season. The union hopes to disrupt operations and sway public sentiment, encouraging consumers to reconsider shopping with Amazon for last-minute gifts.
With the strike expected to last beyond a single day, it remains unclear how significantly the action will impact Amazon’s bottom line or influence its stance toward union negotiations.
