1000’s of Teamsters union members went on strike towards Amazon early Thursday morning at seven amenities in 4 states throughout the nation. This, in fact, is all taking place at a deeply crucial time of yr for the net retail big: the vacation season.
The strike started at 6 a.m. on December 19 at amenities in New York Metropolis, Atlanta, SoCal, San Francisco and Illinois, as practically 10,000 Amazon staff walked off the job, in response to a press release from the Teamsters. Along with that, native unions will put up main picket traces at lots of of Amazon Success Facilities nationwide. This may occasionally find yourself being an actual mess, however Amazon isn’t too apprehensive. The corporate instructed CNN that the putting Teamsters account for lower than 1 p.c of its U.S. workforce.
Within the launch, the union mentioned its motion was the “largest strike towards Amazon in U.S. historical past.” It added that this motion comes after Amazon refused to discount with staff who organized with the union. It additionally mentioned to not blame union members in case your packages are delayed.
“In case your package deal is delayed throughout the holidays, you’ll be able to blame Amazon’s insatiable greed. We gave Amazon a transparent deadline to come back to the desk and do proper by our members. They ignored it. These grasping executives had each likelihood to point out decency and respect for the individuals who make their obscene earnings doable. As an alternative, they’ve pushed staff to the restrict and now they’re paying the worth,” Sean M. O’Brien, Teamsters Common President, mentioned in a statement. “This strike is on them.”
Shockingly, Amazon is pointing the finger on the Teamsters for this dispute. Right here’s its assertion to ABC Information:
“For greater than a yr now, the Teamsters have continued to deliberately mislead the general public – claiming that they symbolize ‘1000’s of Amazon workers and drivers’. They don’t, and that is one other try and push a false narrative,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel mentioned. “The reality is that the Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated, and tried to coerce Amazon workers and third-party drivers to hitch them, which is prohibited and is the topic of a number of pending unfair labor apply fees towards the union.”
The spokesperson mentioned the corporate has elevated the beginning minimal wage for staff in achievement facilities and transportation workers by 20% and in September elevated common base wage to $22 per hour.
That is the newest within the combat between Amazon and unions. Again in 2022, Amazon staff at a facility in Staten Island voted to unionize, making them the primary group at Amazon to take action. Since then, staff there say the corporate has refused to acknowledge the union and negotiate a contract. That is even if the Nationwide Labor Relations Board formally licensed the union representing staff on the facility. Amazon has appealed that ruling.
Anyway, please strive to consider this in case your Christmas present is a bit late this yr: is it price it to have gadgets present up at your door instantly if the oldsters bringing it to you aren’t being handled pretty? I personally don’t assume so, and I hope you’re feeling the identical manner.
