The International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced their support of an Amazon worker strike which started on Thursday after the company didn’t meet the union’s deadline for bargaining negotiations with protestors.
On Saturday, the strike expanded to a handful of other shipping and distribution centers.
“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,” Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said in a statement.
“This strike is on them,” he added.
The union’s goal is to bring Amazon to the table to agree to higher wages, better contracts and more benefits amid the busy holiday season.
Here’s what you need to know about the ongoing strike:
Where are the protests?
Teamsters first announced that workers would strike in multiple states on Thursday. Since then, individuals in Staten Island, New York and San Bernardino, Calif. have joined the picket line.
Additional areas with strikes include Georgia and Illinois.
One of the San Bernardino employees at the site labeled DTG8 said they are striking in hopes that Amazon provides “better working conditions.”
Workers at a New York strike site accused Amazon of “jeopardizing” their holiday pay.
What’s Amazon’s response?
The e-commerce company adamantly denies any claims of wrongdoing or mistreatment and has alleged that Teamsters is falsely claiming to represent 10,000 Amazon workers.
“The truth is that the Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them, which is illegal and is the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges against the union,” Kelly Nantel, Amazon spokesperson said in a statement sent to The Hill.
“What you see here are almost entirely outsiders—not Amazon employees or partners—and the suggestion otherwise is just another lie from the Teamsters,” she added.
Many of the protestors aren’t directly employed by Amazon but work for the company as delivery drivers through a third party, according to the company.
“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, which is inappropriate and dangerous,” Nantel stated.
When will the strike end?
Amazon has not issued a clear answer on whether or not they will sit down at the bargaining table with workers represented by Teamsters. A spokesperson said orders have not been impacted by the protests.
The company confirmed that they provide healthcare plans and competitive benefits to workers.
Amazon also shared that they plan to incrementally invest over $2 million for safety programs when asked about strikers’ concerns.
But protestors say it’s not enough. Workers have committed to strike for however long it takes to reach negotiations with the trillion dollar business created by Jeff Bezos.
Throughout the past few days, Teamsters promoted the strikes on social media through videos and narratives outlining the current conditions for workers.
“I’ve seen the Teamsters win big battles,” said Dia Ortiz, a worker at DBK4 in New York. “We’re ready to do what it takes to win this one.”
