Amazon.com workers at seven US facilities are walked off during the holiday shopping spree leaving the company in a stressful situation. With this strike the workers are hoping to pressure the online shopping giant into contract with their union.
Thousands of Amazon.com workers across seven U.S. facilities launched a strike early Thursday, targeting the holiday shopping rush to demand contract negotiations with the e-commerce giant. Organized by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the walkout is being described as the "largest strike against Amazon in U.S. history."
Employees from New York City, Atlanta, San Francisco, three sites in Southern California, and Skokie, Illinois, joined the strike. The Teamsters, which represent nearly 10,000 Amazon employees at 10 facilities, said workers at other locations are prepared to join in soon.
This action follows a Dec. 15 deadline set by the Teamsters for Amazon to begin negotiations. Workers at several sites had voted to authorize the strike after the company failed to join discussions. The Staten Island warehouse, Amazon’s first unionized facility, has been at the centre of labour disputes, with workers accusing the company of refusing to recognize their union.
"If your holiday package is delayed, you can hold Amazon’s insatiable greed responsible," said Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien. "We gave them a clear deadline to do right by their workers. They ignored it. This strike is on them."
Considering that Unions represent only about 1% of the labour force of Amazon, the company downplayed the impact of the strike, claiming its operations would remain unaffected during this busy shopping period. The company also accused the Teamsters of misrepresenting their influence and using unlawful tactics.
Union efforts have been an issue for Amazon for a long time now. The company has taken legal action to challenge unionization attempts several times. This includes appealing a 2022 Staten Island union vote and filing a federal lawsuit questioning the constitutionality of the National Labor Relations Board.
Despite the tension, Amazon has highlighted efforts to improve worker pay. Earlier this year, it announced a $2.1 billion investment to raise wages for fulfilment and transportation employees, bringing the average base pay to $22 per hour—a 7% increase. The Teamsters, however, criticized the company for ignoring greater demands for a labour agreement.
For now, the strike remains as a significant escalation in the ongoing battle between the retail giant and organized labour.
Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May),...
The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secre...
Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations, citing Yerevan's growing rapprochement with the European Union. The move is seen as t...
At least 22 people have been killed - including children - and 35 others injured after a truck carrying Afghan returnees overturned in eastern Afghani...
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has urged Asian allies to increase military spending, warning of growing concern over China’s rapid military exp...
Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday (30 May).
Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations, citing Yerevan's growing rapprochement with the European Union. The move is seen as the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the longtime allies ahead of Armenia's parliamentary election on 7 June.
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings and ongoing investigations linked to its subsidiary Lafarge's activities during the Syrian conflict.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says ongoing conflict, funding pressures and international travel restrictions are complicating efforts to contain a fast-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
Russia and Kazakhstan signed 15 agreements during President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Astana on Thursday (28 May), including deals on Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant and expanded oil cooperation with Russia.
The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday (30 May).
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has urged Asian allies to increase military spending, warning of growing concern over China’s rapid military expansion and wider activities in the region.
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
Three Latvian climbers have died after falling on Mount McKinley in Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve, authorities and a Latvian climbing organisation have said
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 30 May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment