Thousands of Amazon workers are preparing to strike starting Thursday, days before Christmas, over the tech giant’s refusal to begin contract negotiations.
Local unions are preparing their members for picketing and actions outside Amazon facilities across the United States.
Amazon was given a deadline of December 15 to agree to start talks with workers at the company’s JFK8 warehouse on Staten Island, which became the first Amazon warehouse in the United States to win a union election in 2022.
“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,” Teamsters Local 299 in Detroit wrote in a Facebook post, announcing strike shifts in an Amazon store. installations in the Detroit metropolitan area on December 19 and 20.
The Teamsters did not immediately respond for comment. Teamsters Local 299’s post was later removed.
TO frills of Teamsters Local 206 in Portland, Oregon, also announced a picket at an Amazon warehouse on Thursday and Friday. “Amazon has refused to recognize or negotiate with the Teamsters at its facilities,” he said.
Amazon workers in Staten Island; in DBK4 in Queens, New York; four facilities in southern California; and drivers at DIL7 in Skokie, Illinois, voted to authorize strikes last week. Workers at two Amazon facilities outside Atlanta have threatened attack.
in a statement In announcing the four strike authorization votes at California facilities, Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said, “The corporate elitists who run Amazon are leaving workers with no choice. Greedy executives are pushing thousands of hard-working Americans to the brink.
“Amazon collects more money than anyone, subjects its workers to injury and abuse at every turn, and illegally claims not to be the legitimate employer of nearly half of its workforce.
“This rigged system cannot continue. Amazon must be accountable to both workers and consumers. If workers are forced to picket, Amazon will go on strike.”
Amazon criticized the Teamsters when strike authorization votes were announced.
Spokeswoman Eileen Hands said in a statement: “The truth is that the Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers into joining them, which is illegal and subject to multiple charges. pending unfair labor practices. against the union.”