Striking Amazon Workers Hold Christmas Hostage To Demand Labor Contract From "Greedy Executives"
Workers at seven Amazon warehouses and other facilities went on strike Thursday morning in a nationwide labor action after the e-commerce giant refused to negotiate a labor contract with the union earlier this week.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters said Amazon workers went on strike this morning at three Southern California locations, one New York City location, one Atlanta, Georgia location, and one in Skokie, Illinois.
"Workers will join the picket line from DBK4 in New York City; DGT8 in Atlanta; DFX4, DAX5, and DAX8 in Southern California; DCK6 in San Francisco; and DIL7 in Skokie, Ill," the union wrote in a press release.
🚨 BREAKING: The Teamsters Union has launched the largest strike against Amazon in U.S. history. 🚨
— Teamsters (@Teamsters) December 19, 2024
Amazon has forced this strike by refusing to follow the law and bargain with the thousands of Amazon workers who organized with the Teamsters.
Now, Amazon Teamsters at facilities… pic.twitter.com/9gRej7GANm
Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien explained, "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."
And it begins...
The Teamsters union launched a strike against Amazon that began Thursday morning. The strike will impact several facilities located in California, in addition to facilities in Queens, New York; Skokie, Illinois; and Atlanta, Georgia. pic.twitter.com/WTms20AthL
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 19, 2024
Breaking: After arresting an Amazon driver who tried to stop his van to show support to striking workers in NYC, police are now linking arms to protect the profits of Amazon & Jeff Bezos. No picture better illustrates the police’s role is to protect and serve capital, not people. pic.twitter.com/9URC37ATPU
— Power to the People ☭🕊 (@ProudSocialist) December 19, 2024
"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," O'Brien said.
The union said, "10,000 Amazon workers have mobilized a movement and joined the Teamsters. They are fighting for higher wages, better benefits, and safer conditions at work," adding other warehouses nationwide could soon join the labor action ahead of Christmas.
.@Teamsters president warns strikes will "absolutely" expand if Amazon doesn’t come to the table just days before busy holiday rush. pic.twitter.com/UFGZMuUf7R
— CAPITAL (@capitalnewshq) December 19, 2024
"What we're doing is historic," said Leah Pensler, a warehouse worker at DCK6 in San Francisco
Historic in the sense of holding Christmas hostage for consumers?
The problem is that Amazon will eventually automate these jobs by the end of the decade...
"I've seen the Teamsters win big battles," said Dia Ortiz, a worker at DBK4 in New York, adding, "We're ready to do what it takes to win this one."