Members of the Teamsters union have voted to authorize a strike at three Amazon facilities, including the Staten Island warehouse, which became notable as the first Amazon location where employees voted to unionize in 2022. The decision affects workers in Queens, New York, and Skokie, Illinois, with no announced strike date yet.
“The corporate elitists who run Amazon are leaving workers with no choice,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Greedy executives are pushing thousands of hardworking Americans to the brink. Amazon rakes in more money than anybody, they subject workers to injury and abuse at every turn, and they illegally claim not to be the rightful employer of nearly half their workforce. This rigged system cannot continue. Amazon must be held accountable to workers and consumers alike. If workers are forced onto the picket line, Amazon will be striking itself.”
Teamsters authorize strike at three Amazon facilities
Amazon has stated its operations will not be impacted by the potential strike actions. According to the company, the Teamsters’ representation claims cover approximately 7,000 Amazon workers nationwide—less than 1% of its total U.S. workforce. Eileen Hards, a spokesperson for Amazon, emphasized that recent protests have only inconvenienced employees and partners rather than disrupting operations.
The Teamsters union’s actions come during a crucial holiday shopping period and reflect ongoing tensions regarding Amazon’s anti-union stance. This move, which aligns with the union’s strategy to exert pressure on Amazon, arises as organized labor explores new methods to advocate for workers at the company.
Despite the Teamsters’ claims, Amazon remains steadfast in its refusal to negotiate or recognize the union. The retail giant is contesting the results of a prior union election in Staten Island and continues to reject additional unionization efforts. Sean O’Brien, Teamsters President, criticized Amazon’s approach, asserting that its executives prioritize profits over worker welfare, jeopardizing holiday experiences for customers.
Unions typically gain representation through elections overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). In April 2022, the Amazon Labor Union successfully led a vote at the Staten Island facility. However, subsequent attempts to unionize other Amazon locations have faced challenges. The ALU voted in June to affiliate with the Teamsters, one of the largest unions in the U.S., with 1.3 million members.
In Southern California, workers in Palmdale, San Bernardino, Victorville, and City of Industry also voted to authorize strikes, escalating tensions during the busy holiday season. The Teamsters have accused Amazon of failing to recognize the union and engaging in practices that diminish worker rights. “Greedy executives are pushing thousands of hardworking Americans to the brink,” stated O’Brien, highlighting the significant disparity between Amazon’s profits and worker conditions.
Amazon reported a net income of $39.2 billion for the first nine months of 2023, more than double the earnings from the same period in 2022. The union argued that this financial success warrants fair treatment for employees. Riley Holzworth, a driver from Skokie, expressed discontent over economic struggles despite working for a highly profitable company.
Amazon operates over 1,000 warehouses in the U.S., employing more than 740,000 workers. The Teamsters mentioned representing workers at facilities in California, including warehouses in San Francisco and San Bernardino, alongside those certified as union members in Staten Island. However, the status of some workers the Teamsters claim to represent remains ambiguous, as many are drivers for independent contractors rather than direct Amazon employees.
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The Teamsters assert they are advocating for the rights of drivers at the Queens and Skokie facilities, despite these locations having never undergone NLRB-supervised elections. Amazon maintains that those drivers are employees of contractors and not directly affiliated with the company, further complicating the union’s representation claims. Eileen Hards stated that the Teamsters’ narrative serves to mislead the public regarding their representation.
The NLRB’s recent stance regarding dual employers presents another layer of complexity. This opinion allows unions to seek recognition from either primary employers or contractors. Business groups are challenging this dual employer concept, and its legality may change with the incoming administration, as President-elect Trump is expected to appoint new NLRB leadership.
Amid these developments, the Teamsters set a deadline of December 15 for negotiations with Amazon.
Featured image credit: Oleg Laptev/Unsplash
