Amazon Employees Across America Prepare for Nationwide Walkout This Week

Amazon Workers Across US Gear Up to Strike This Week

Thousands of Amazon workers are preparing to strike from Thursday, just before Christmas, in protest over the tech giant’s refusal to begin contract talks with its employees. The move comes after Amazon failed to meet a deadline to start negotiations with workers at its JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island, New York.

Union Locals Prepare for Picketing and Actions

Union locals are gearing up their members for pickets and actions outside Amazon facilities across the US. Teamsters local 299 in Detroit announced strike shifts at an Amazon facility on December 19 and 20, stating that “our sisters and brothers at Amazon need our help and support – now is the time to show them what being part of the Teamster family is all about.”

Strike Authorization Votes

Amazon workers have voted to authorize strikes at several facilities across the US. These include:

• Staten Island‘s JFK8 warehouse, which became the first Amazon warehouse in the US to win a union election in 2022

• DBK4 in Queens, New York

• Four facilities in southern California

• Drivers at DIL7 in Skokie, Illinois

Teamsters General President Speaks Out

Teamsters general president Sean O’Brien stated that “the corporate elitists who run Amazon are leaving workers with no choice. Greedy executives are pushing thousands of hardworking Americans to the brink.” He added that Amazon must be held accountable to workers and consumers alike.

Amazon’s Response

Amazon has criticized the Teamsters, stating that they have actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them. This is allegedly in violation of labor laws and is the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges against the union.