Amazon Holiday Strike Continues at Multiple Delivery Facilities

Amazon workers at seven facilities across the United States walked off the job early Thursday, aiming to pressure the retail giant into contract negotiations with their union. This strike, during the critical holiday shopping period, marks the “largest” labor action against Amazon to date, according to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, representing around 10,000 workers at 10 Amazon facilities.

Fighting for Fairness and Recognition

The nationwide action follows Amazon’s repeated refusals to comply with the law and engage in good faith-bargaining with the thousands of Amazon workers who have coalesced under the Teamsters. Workers at four Southern California facilities in San Bernardino, Palmdale, Victorville, and City of Industry, along with those at a delivery station in Skokie, Illinois, and two warehouses in Staten Island and Queens, New York, have authorized a work stoppage.

On Wednesday, the union announced that employees at an Atlanta-based delivery station, DGT8, voted unanimously to authorize a strike after Amazon refused to recognize their Teamsters affiliation. Similar grievances have emerged from warehouses in Queens, California, and Illinois, prompting the Teamsters to issue a December 15 deadline for Amazon to agree to bargaining dates for a union contract or face intensified labor action.

Solidarity on the Picket Lines

Teamsters local unions are establishing primary picket lines at hundreds of Amazon Fulfillment Centers nationwide. Amazon warehouse workers and drivers, even those without collective bargaining agreements, have the legal right to honor these picket lines by withholding their labor. Nearly 10,000 Amazon workers have mobilized to join the Teamsters, fighting for higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions.

The Right to Organize: A Fundamental Fight

Amazon, while professing a preference for direct relationships with its workers, has consistently challenged union drives, asserting that workers have the right to organize. The company has filed objections with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over the 2022 Staten Island election, alleging bias among agency officials and challenging the constitutionality of the NLRB itself in a federal lawsuit. Amazon has also accused the Teamsters of illegally coercing workers to join the union.

Despite these obstacles, Amazon employees continue to demand respect and recognition. An Amazon spokesperson reiterated that employees have the choice of whether or not to join a union, emphasizing the company’s commitment to providing opportunities for workers to have their voices heard.

Building Momentum for Change

The Teamsters have indicated that the Staten Island warehouse could join the strike at any time, along with another Southern California facility that previously voted to join the walkout. Although Amazon is unlikely to immediately come to the bargaining table due to minimal legal pressure, the workers’ determination remains unwavering. Jake Rosenfeld, a sociology professor at Washington University in St. Louis, noted that Amazon’s strategy of ignoring workers’ demands has so far been successful, but the growing movement suggests a shift may be on the horizon.

Global Resistance and Future Actions

In recent years, Amazon has faced worker walkouts in Spain, Germany, and other regions over pay and working conditions. As the world’s second-largest private employer, Amazon has long been a target for unions. Workers argue that Amazon’s relentless emphasis on speed and efficiency leads to injuries and burnout, while the company claims it offers industry-leading wages and automation designed to reduce repetitive stress.

The struggle continues as Amazon faces additional union actions in the coming months. Workers at Philadelphia Whole Foods Market filed to hold a union election, the first since Amazon acquired the grocery chain in 2017. Additionally, an administrative judge recently ordered a third union election at an Alabama warehouse after ruling that Amazon had unlawfully thwarted unionization efforts.

Earlier this year, Amazon announced a $2.1 billion investment to raise pay for fulfillment and transportation employees in the U.S., increasing base wages for employees by at least $1.50 to approximately $22 per hour, representing a roughly 7% increase. However, workers argue that this is not enough and continue to fight for a fair and just workplace.

Engage the Movement

As Amazon workers rise up across the nation, their message is clear: They will continue to fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to organize. As the next generation of labor leaders enter positions of power within organized labor, expect trailblazing organizations like the Amazon Labor Union (ALU) to begin using powerful engagement tools to communicate and mobilize workers. Keep an eye on this space as this is a developing story.