A Closer Look at the Teamsters’ Nationwide Strike Against Amazon

Amazon employees and supporters continue to protest after the e-commerce giant, according to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, declined to meet strikers’ demands for higher wages, better contracts, and improved benefits. The Teamsters union, which backed the worker strike on Thursday, said the protest expanded over the weekend to other delivery and distribution centers across multiple states. Jeff Lange/USA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“These greedy executives had every chance to show decency and respect for the people who make their obscene profits possible. Instead, they’ve pushed workers to the limit and now they’re paying the price,” Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said in a statement. “This strike is on them,” he added. Ted Merriman / Wikimedia

In locations such as Staten Island, New York, and San Bernardino, Calif., workers walked off the job, calling for “better working conditions.” Protestors in New York also accused the company of “jeopardizing” their holiday pay. Cody Scanlan/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

However, Amazon disputes the union’s accusations, claiming that many of the protestors are not direct employees but rather drivers hired by third-party companies. “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 spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement to The Hill. “What you see here are almost entirely outsiders—not Amazon employees or partners—and the suggestion otherwise is just another lie from the Teamsters,” she added. Amazon.com, Inc. / Wikimedia

According to Amazon, the demonstration has not affected order fulfillment. The company maintains that it provides competitive benefits, health insurance, and has pledged to invest over $2 million in safety measures. Nantel also stated, “The truth is that they were unable to get enough support from our employees and partners and have brought in outsiders to come and harass and intimidate our team, which is inappropriate and dangerous.” Julie Vennitti Botos / Canton Repository / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

For now, protestors intend to continue their strike indefinitely in hopes of forcing the trillion-dollar company to negotiate. “I’ve seen the Teamsters win big battles,” said Dia Ortiz, a worker at DBK4 in New York. “We’re ready to do what it takes to win this one.” Daily News Staff Photo/Ken McGagh / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images