Amazon drivers strike in Chicago, accusing company of unfair labor practices
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A strike involving Amazon delivery drivers has spread to Chicago.
Drivers picketed outside an Amazon warehouse Monday near 35th and Ashland. It was the latest in a string of unfair labor practice strikes that the Teamsters union began back in June.
The Teamsters claimed when Amazon drivers in California tried to unionize, Amazon refused to recognize the union contract negotiated with Amazon's deliver service partner, Battle-Tested Strategies (BTS), and fired those drivers.
Amazon told CBS 2 that BTS unionized with the Teamsters after their contract was terminated by Amazon, not before.
In a statement, Amazon said, "This gathering, which does not include Amazon employees and is mostly attended by outside activists, has had no impact on our operations or ability to deliver for our customers. Instead, the Teamsters continue to fuel the spread of misinformation regarding a company that no longer delivers for Amazon."
Since then, walkoffs have hit Amazon facilities in nine different states.
Drivers are calling for better pay and safer working conditions. The union is also demanding Amazon reinstate all of the California drivers who were fired after unionizing, and respect the contract negotiated with BTS.