In a daring display of solidarity, thousands of Amazon workers across the United States are gearing up for a massive strike set to begin this Thursday, mere days before the hectic Christmas rush. The impending labor action comes on the heels of the tech behemoth’s failure to meet a crucial deadline for initiating contract negotiations with unionized employees at its JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island, New York.
Unions Rally Support Nationwide
As tensions mount, Teamsters union locals from coast to coast are mobilizing their members for pickets and demonstrations outside Amazon facilities nationwide. According to a now-deleted Facebook post by Teamsters Local 299 in Detroit:
Our Sisters and Brothers at Amazon need our help and support – now is the time to show them what being part of the Teamster family is all about.
The post also announced strike shifts at an Amazon center in Metro Detroit on December 19th and 20th. Meanwhile, a flyer from Teamsters Local 206 in Portland, Oregon, revealed plans for a picket at a local Amazon warehouse this Thursday and Friday, stating:
Amazon has refused to recognize or bargain with the Teamsters at its facilities.
Strike Authorizations Span the Nation
The strike’s momentum continues to build, with Amazon workers at numerous locations voting to authorize work stoppages over the past week:
- JFK8 in Staten Island, New York
- DBK4 in Queens, New York
- Four facilities in Southern California
- Drivers at DIL7 in Skokie, Illinois
Additionally, employees at two Amazon sites near Atlanta, Georgia, have threatened to join the strike.
Teamsters President Blasts Amazon
In a fiery statement following the strike authorization votes at the four California facilities, Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien pulled no punches:
The corporate elitists who run Amazon are leaving workers with no choice. Greedy executives are pushing thousands of hardworking Americans to the brink.
Amazon rakes in more money than anybody, they subject workers to injury and abuse at every turn, and they illegally claim not to be the rightful employer of nearly half their workforce.
This rigged system cannot continue. Amazon must be held accountable to workers and consumers alike. If workers are forced onto the picket line, Amazon will be striking itself.
– Sean O’Brien, Teamsters General President
Amazon Remains Tight-Lipped
As the strike looms, Amazon has remained largely silent, save for criticizing the Teamsters during the recent strike authorization votes. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the impending labor action.
With the holiday shopping season in full swing, the potential impact of a widespread Amazon worker strike cannot be overstated. As consumers increasingly rely on the tech giant for their Christmas purchases, any disruption to the company’s operations could have far-reaching consequences.
As the Thursday strike deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Amazon and its workers, as the nation watches to see if the tech colossus can reach a resolution with its employees or if the holiday season will be marred by a monumental labor dispute.
