Amazon workers strike at seven US facilities
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The news: Thousands of Amazon workers walked off the job staging strikes at seven US facilities over contract negotiations during the critical pre-Christmas shopping rush.
The numbers: The Teamsters union, claiming to represent nearly 10,000 workers, called it the largest strike against Amazon in US history. Amazon employs more than 800,000 people in US warehouses and operates over 600 facilities nationwide.
Workers at sites in New York City, Atlanta, San Francisco, Southern California and Skokie, Illinois are demanding higher wages, better benefits and safer working conditions.
The union claims it represents drivers employed by Amazon contractors and says that a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule classifies both the delivery service and Amazon as joint employers. However, Amazon and other business organisations are disputing the rule.
The union says Amazon ignored a 15 December deadline to negotiate a contract, even after the company agreed to boost pay for drivers delivering Amazon parcels by 7% to nearly USD22 per hour earlier this year.
Amazon announced the USD2 billion investment in September, and disputes the Teamsters' claim of representing its employees, calling the strike a "PR play" with no expected operational impact.
The context: The Teamsters argue that drivers working for third-party contractors should be classified as Amazon employees due to Amazon’s control over their work.
Workers who spoke to media ahead of the strike said they were fighting for basic benefits and needs that were otherwise industry standard.
They also mocked the notion they aren’t Amazon employees, saying they wear Amazon uniforms and deliver in Amazon vans.
Amazon reported USD450 billion in 2024 revenue and USD39 billion in net income. It’s shares were 1.70% higher on Thursday morning despite the strike and have risen 48% this year.
What they said: “There are a lot of nuances here but I want to be clear, the Teamsters don’t represent any Amazon employees despite their claims to the contrary,” Kelly Nantel, a spokesperson for Amazon, said in a statement. “This entire narrative is a PR play and the Teamsters’ conduct this past year, and this week is illegal.”
Teamsters' general president Sean O'Brien said late Wednesday: "If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon's insatiable greed. We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members. They ignored it. This strike is on them."
The sources: International Brotherhood of Teamsters statement, CNN , Reuters , The Wall Street Journal, CBS News
