Almost 10,000 Amazon employees throughout the United States have embarked on a strike just days ahead of Christmas. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters organized the action, alleging that Amazon has refused to engage in negotiations for an equitable contract. In turn, Amazon asserts that those participating in the strike are not its workers.
The strike commenced Thursday at 6 a.m. EST, with picket lines established in cities such as New York City, Atlanta, Southern California, San Francisco, and Illinois. Earlier this month, the Teamsters set a deadline for Amazon, insisting that the company agree to negotiations by Dec. 15.
### Employees Seek Equitable Treatment
In the previous week, staff at numerous Amazon facilities voted to sanction strikes after the company did not acknowledge their union or meet the Teamsters’ deadline. The union highlights issues like “low pay, disrespect, illegal anti-union activity,” and hazardous working conditions as significant concerns.
“If your package arrives late during the holiday season, you can attribute it to Amazon’s relentless greed,” stated Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “We provided Amazon with a definitive deadline to negotiate responsibly with our members. They disregarded it.”
### Amazon Responds
Amazon has refuted the union’s assertions, labeling the strike as a “public relations tactic” and accusing the Teamsters of unlawful behavior. The company claims that the union has “actively threatened, intimidated, and sought to coerce” employees and contractors to join the strike.
“There are many subtleties involved, but I want to be clear: the Teamsters do not represent any Amazon employees, contrary to their assertions,” remarked Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel.
Some of the employees on strike are reportedly hired by third-party contractors instead of Amazon directly. However, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) previously ruled that Amazon is a “joint employer” with its subcontractors, implying the company has sufficient oversight over working conditions to be held legally accountable. Amazon contests this classification and has challenged the NLRB’s jurisdiction, arguing that the 90-year-old agency is unconstitutional.
### A Legacy of Labor Conflicts
Amazon has a lengthy background of labor conflicts. Last year, the company made unsuccessful attempts to overturn the establishment of its first union at a Staten Island warehouse. Compensation and working conditions have been persistent issues, with workers globally engaging in strikes and demonstrations during Black Friday as part of the annual “Make Amazon Pay” initiative. This year’s campaign, distinct from the Teamsters’ actions, included employees in over 20 countries advocating for improved treatment, the right to unionize, sustainable practices, and enhanced societal contributions.
### Rising Wealth Amid Worker Challenges
The strike occurs as Amazon founder and executive chairman Jeff Bezos continues to accumulate immense wealth. His net worth currently reaches $237 billion, making him the second-richest individual in the world after Elon Musk. This represents a $68 billion increase since last year’s Make Amazon Pay protests—an amount greater than Myanmar’s GDP and roughly equivalent to Alaska’s economy.
As the festive season draws near, the standoff between Amazon and its workforce underscores ongoing conflicts regarding labor rights, corporate accountability, and economic disparity. Whether the strike will result in significant changes remains to be observed.