Workers at three Southern California Amazon facilities have joined thousands of others nationwide in a strike against the tech giant.
The strike, organised by the Teamsters union, comes just days before Christmas and follows Amazon’s failure to meet a December 15 deadline for contract negotiations. The union’s action is being described as the largest strike against Amazon during the critical holiday shipping season.
Teamster workers walked off the job at 6 a.m. local time on Thursday at delivery hubs in the City of Industry, Palmdale, and Victorville. Additional facilities on the East Coast, including locations in New York, Illinois, and Georgia, were affected. The strike comes after Amazon allegedly ignored the union’s demands for improved labour conditions and fair treatment of its workforce.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien slammed Amazon for its actions, blaming the company’s “insatiable greed” for the strike and delays in holiday shipments. He criticised Amazon executives for failing to negotiate in good faith, saying, “These greedy executives had every chance to show decency and respect for the people who make their obscene profits possible.”
In response, Amazon spokespersons claimed that most of the strikers are not Amazon employees, but outsiders brought in by the Teamsters. The company denied the union’s accusations, asserting that the majority of its workforce continues to fulfil their duties, ensuring customer orders are delivered on time.
The strike highlights growing tension between Amazon and its workers, especially as the company navigates the intense demands of the holiday season. The outcome of this strike could have lasting implications for labour relations in the company as union efforts continue to gain momentum.
