The strike against Amazon launched Thursday has been called the “largest strike” against the company in U.S. history.
“The Teamsters will launch the largest strike against Amazon in U.S. history beginning at 6 a.m. EST on Thurs., Dec. 19. The nationwide action follows Amazon’s repeated refusal to follow the law and bargain with the thousands of Amazon workers who organized with the Teamsters,” the union said in a press release.
“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,” Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said in a statement. “These greedy executives had every chance to show decency and respect for the people who make their obscene profits possible. Instead, they’ve pushed workers to the limit and now they’re paying the price. This strike is on them.”
Nearly 10,000 Amazon workers have joined the Teamsters.
Amazon said in a statement, as reported by The New York Times, “What you see here are almost entirely outsiders — not Amazon employees or partners — and the suggestion otherwise is just another lie from the Teamsters. The truth is that they were unable to get enough support from our employees and partners and have brought in outsiders to come and harass and intimidate our team.”
ABC 7 reported that two demonstrates were arrested and received tickets for disorderly conduct.
One Amazon driver said, “Don’t push me. Don’t push me. I’m working. I’m at work.” He added, “I was inside the car. I didn’t even get out. They just opened the door from me and they grabbed me out of the car.”
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) had recorded “331 open or settled unfair labor practice charges filed with the Agency by various parties against Amazon, its subsidiaries, and DSPs as joint employers across 26 states. In addition, 17 charges have been filed against the Teamsters or ALU by either Amazon or individuals,” the report said.
