In a move that could disrupt holiday deliveries, workers at several Amazon warehouses across the United States are set to walk off the job on Thursday. The Teamsters Union announced the strike on Wednesday night, citing the company’s “insatiable greed” as the reason for their action.
According to a press release from the union, employees at facilities in California, New York, Texas, and Illinois will participate in the strike, which is scheduled to begin at 5 a.m. Central time. This includes workers at the company’s warehouse in Skokie, who voted earlier this week to authorize a work stoppage.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien stated, “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.” He went on to say, “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.”
The union has also called for picket lines to be set up at other facilities nationwide, allowing workers and drivers who are not currently in the union to participate in the strike if they choose to do so.
Amazon has yet to release a statement regarding the Teamsters’ announcement, but earlier this week, the company told NBC News that they have contingency plans in place to prevent major disruptions to their operations. “The company is a large network. Christmas is not getting ruined for anyone,” they said.
According to Teamsters officials, nearly 10,000 workers have joined unions across the country, representing approximately 1% of the company’s hourly workforce. Riley Holzworth, a worker at DIL7, stated, “Amazon is one of the biggest companies on Earth, but we are struggling to pay our bills. Other workers are seeing our example and joining our movement because we are only going to get the treatment we deserve if we fight for it.”
The union claims that Amazon has “illegally refused” to recognize unions and has refused to engage in collective bargaining at the Skokie facility. They gave the company a deadline of December 15th to begin negotiations, which they say was ignored.
In response to the strike, Amazon released a statement to NBC Chicago, stating that the Teamsters do not represent as many employees as they claim. The statement also accused the union of “actively threatening, intimidating, and attempting to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them,” which they say is illegal and the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges against the union.
The workers participating in the strike are seeking better wages and working conditions, according to press releases from the Teamsters. They are standing up for their rights and demanding fair treatment from one of the largest companies in the world.
The actions of these workers should be applauded, as they are not only standing up for themselves but also for the thousands of other employees who may be facing similar struggles. It takes courage to take a stand against a powerful corporation, and these workers are showing that they will not be silenced or ignored.
As we approach the holiday season, it is important to remember the hardworking individuals behind the scenes who make our online shopping experiences possible. These workers deserve fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to unionize. Let us support them in their fight for better treatment and stand in solidarity with them as they walk off the job on Thursday.
