Workers at Amazon’s warehouse and distribution centers in New York announced Friday they have approved a strike permit, giving the retail giant, which has refused to negotiate for months, a deal until Sunday if they don’t come to the negotiating table in the middle of the year. Risk of large-scale work stoppage. Holiday shopping season.
The union representing Amazon workers at two New York City facilities, the JFK8 warehouse on Staten Island and the DBK4 distribution center in Queens, has announced the company’s “union recognition and “They are illegally refusing to negotiate a contract.” Reasons for authorization of strike.
“We just want to do what everyone else in America wants: to do our jobs and get paid enough to take care of ourselves and our families. And Amazon is our won’t let me do that.”
“Amazon doesn’t show its workers the respect they deserve and keeps them closer to the picket line,” Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said in a statement. “What we’re clear about is that Amazon has until Dec. 15 to come to the table and negotiate a contract if these white-collar criminals want to continue breaking the law. , you better get ready to fight.”
Workers are demanding:
A living wage with fair raises. Safer working conditions to prevent injuries and fatalities. Job security and protection from arbitrary dismissal. Dignity and respect for all employees.
In June, more than 5,500 workers at JFK8 joined the Teamsters to form the Amazon Labor Union (ALU)-IBT Local 1, voting in favor of unionization in 2022 for the first time. Despite strengthening its organizational strength with support from the Teamsters, Amazon management is dragging its feet in initial contract negotiations, which is not surprising given the company’s long-standing hostility toward organized labor.
“Amazon’s refusal to negotiate is a direct attack on our rights,” ALU-IBT Local 1 President Connor Spence said Friday. “If Amazon chooses to ignore us, they will be the ones who will ruin Christmas for millions of families. We are fighting for the future of power.”
Members of the public said the request was reasonable, especially since the company, owned by Jeff Bezos, the world’s second-richest person, continues to generate huge profits every year as one of the world’s largest companies. Ta.
“We’re not asking for much,” said JFK8 employee James Saccardo. “We just want to do what everyone else in America wants: to do our jobs and get paid enough to take care of ourselves and our families. And Amazon is our won’t let me do that.”
In Queens, Amazon workers at DBK4, the company’s largest delivery station in the city, voted almost unanimously to authorize their own strike.
“It’s hard to drive for Amazon,” said Luc René, a driver who works for DBK4. “What’s even tougher is fighting giant corporations who are constantly breaking the law and abusing the system. But we won’t give up.”
“All the horror stories you’ve read about Amazon are true, but it’s worse,” Justin, a New York warehouse worker, said in a video produced by More Perfect Union.
A strike during this busiest time of year for the retail giant would “hit where it hurts,” said Jessica Burbank, labor correspondent for DropSight News.The scale of the strike would be unprecedented. This will include major locations in New York and San Bernardino, California. ”
According to Burbank,
Amazon currently has more than 700,000 employees, making it the nation’s largest employer of warehouse workers. Winning contracts in these first 20 bargaining units could impact working conditions for thousands of workers and spur union organizing efforts at Amazon facilities across the country.
It’s been a long time coming for Amazon workers, who voted to unionize at the warehouse in March 2022. “Thousands of Amazon workers courageously voted to unionize at JFK8 in Staten Island,” Smalls said in a text message. “We shocked the world. We won against a giant corporation, and we hoped that step forward would move us forward and help create a better workplace.” It is stalled on approval and has yet to meet with union representatives at the bargaining table.
“I look forward to seeing workers exercise their right to strike, take control, take the next step, and move further down the path to victory,” Smalls said. He went on to say, “We celebrated while inspiring thousands of others to share the same hope.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders, R-Vermont, voiced support for union members on Saturday.
“Amazon’s delivery drivers and warehouse workers deserve decent wages, benefits, working conditions, and the right to form a union,” Sanders said. “I strongly support the thousands of Amazon workers who will strike tomorrow if Amazon does not stop its illegal union-busting practices.”
JFK8 workers said people can support the union’s efforts “at this critical time” in a variety of ways, including:
Donate to the Solidarity Fund: Help workers continue their fight by donating to the Strike Fund. Gather on the picket line: Join JFK8 workers in a show of solidarity and hold Amazon accountable for illegally refusing to negotiate a union contract. Spread the word: Use social media and your local networks to raise awareness about the importance of workers’ struggles and the fight for justice at Amazon. Contact your elected officials: Urge your representatives to publicly support JFK8 workers and pressure Amazon to bargain in good faith. Sign our petition: Stand up for Amazon workers and ensure that all workers who participate in protected collective action will have a safe return to work, free from harassment and retaliatory disciplinary action. request that you do so.
Former Secretary of Labor and economist Robert Reich said he has no sympathy for the retail giants’ refusal to negotiate in good faith with the workers that make their business models possible.
“Amazon’s profit last quarter was $15 billion,” Reich said. “Don’t tell them they can’t afford to negotiate a fair contract.”
