Amazon workers on strike outside warehouse in Maspeth, Queens
NEW YORK -- Amazon workers are on strike outside a warehouse in Maspeth, Queens, along with other locations around the country.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters said it represents nearly 10,000 Amazon workers who are demanding better pay and working conditions. Union leaders say the company refuses to negotiate.
"We told them they have 'til the 15th after months of telling them to work with us, and they still haven't come to the table," one union leader said.
The striking workers planned to form picket lines starting at 6 a.m. Thursday at facilities in New York, California, Georgia and Illinois.
"They're going to notice the Teamsters in the months to come because more and more people are going to want to organize, and eventually they're going to have to come to the bargaining table and we're going to get these members the contracts that they deserve," said Vincent Perrone, president and principal officer of Teamsters Local 804.
Police set up a barricade outside the Queens warehouse, but picketers blocked a row of trucks from leaving. The group appeared to be a mix of Teamsters union members and non-union workers.
Amazon accuses Teamsters of misleading the public
Amazon does not recognize the union, saying it does not consider delivery drivers like those on strike to be its employees because the drivers work for third-party businesses.
Drivers say they deserve equality.
"My packages say Amazon, my uniform says Amazon, and so does the truck I drive," said Latrice Johnson, a driver on strike.
An Amazon spokesperson accused Teamsters of misleading the public, adding, "The truth is that the Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them, which is illegal and is the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges against the union."
Amazon has filed a lawsuit saying a 2022 vote to unionize was illegal because it was not government sanctioned.
Teamsters responded with another statement, accusing the company of "gaslighting the American public with their false narratives."
Amazon says holiday shipping will not be impacted
While the strike comes less than a week before Christmas, a spokesperson for Amazon insisted operations will not be impacted during the holiday shipping rush. The 10,000 union workers set to strike represent only about 1% of the company's hourly workforce.
Teamsters President Sean O'Brien put out a provocative statement Wednesday, saying in part, "If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon's insatiable greed."
"I don't feel guilty. Amazon should feel guilty," a union leader said.
"Right now is peak season, so Amazon expects a lot from us. Sometimes we go out with 400-500 packages, and we're just asking Amazon for a little respect and safety," said Lamont Hobwell, with Teamsters Local 804.
Experts say Amazon has hundreds of these facilities around the country, and they all work interconnectedly.
"If something slows down in one facility, other ones can take over, so initially, customers are very unlikely to notice much of anything," said Rudi Leuschner, an associate professor at Rutgers Business School.
Those striking in New York City say they plan to keep the picket lines going day and night until Amazon recognizes the union and comes up with a fair contract.
