Workers at Amazon facilities across the United States began striking early Thursday, marking what the Teamsters union calls the largest strike against the e-commerce giant. The action comes less than a week before Christmas, a critical period for Amazon’s operations.
The strike is set to affect facilities in major cities, including New York City, Atlanta, San Francisco, Skokie, Illinois, and three locations in Southern California. Additionally, the union plans to establish picket lines at hundreds of Amazon Fulfillment Centers nationwide.
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Why the Strike?
The Teamsters’ decision to strike stems from Amazon’s refusal to negotiate with workers who have unionized under the Teamsters banner. The union accuses Amazon of failing to address workers’ demands for better pay, benefits, and working conditions.
“If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members. They ignored it.”
Amazon’s Response
Amazon has strongly denied the Teamsters’ claims. In a statement, spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the union has “illegally coerced” workers to join and misrepresented its influence.
“For more than a year now, the Teamsters have continued to intentionally mislead the public—claiming that they represent ‘thousands of Amazon employees and drivers.’ They don’t,” Nantel said. She added that Amazon has increased starting wages for fulfillment center and transportation workers by 20%, with an average base pay of $22 per hour as of September.
Key Locations and Worker Involvement
- Striking Facilities:
- New York City
- Atlanta
- San Francisco
- Skokie, Illinois
- Three locations in Southern California
- Union Presence: The Teamsters report that nearly 10,000 Amazon workers have joined their ranks. This includes workers at Staten Island’s JFK8 warehouse—Amazon’s first unionized facility—and other locations where employees have demonstrated majority support for unionization without formal elections.
Background on Union Activity
The Staten Island warehouse, which unionized in 2022, has been a focal point for labor disputes. While the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) certified the union, Amazon has appealed the decision and filed lawsuits challenging the NLRB’s authority.
The Teamsters have also organized Amazon delivery drivers, who work under third-party contractors called Delivery Service Partners. The union argues that Amazon exerts significant control over these drivers and should be classified as their employer, a claim supported by some NLRB rulings. In response to union pressure, Amazon raised drivers’ pay in September.
Amazon’s Position on Unionization
Amazon maintains that its delivery drivers are not direct employees and accuses the Teamsters of distorting the facts.
“The truth is that the Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them, which is illegal and is the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges against the union,” said Nantel.
Broader Implications
The timing of the strike—during the peak holiday shopping season—aims to pressure Amazon into negotiations. However, the company has stated it does not expect significant disruptions to its operations.
The Teamsters’ efforts highlight growing labor tensions within Amazon, where only a small fraction of the 1.5 million employees have unionized. This strike could set the stage for broader discussions about workers’ rights and corporate accountability in the gig economy.
Stock Market Reaction
Despite the strike announcement, shares of Amazon.com Inc. rose over 1% in pre-market trading Thursday.
