Striking Amazon workers and their supporters picketed outside the company’s Skokie facility on Thursday, less than a week before the end of the holiday shopping rush. This action was part of a larger strike involving six Amazon facilities across New York, Atlanta, and California. The duration of the strike remains uncertain. On Thursday morning, a few dozen workers marched, carrying signs protesting Amazon’s labor practices. An Amazon spokesperson claimed that the multi-state strikes had not impacted the company’s operations.
Hundreds of workers at the Skokie delivery station DIL7 had voted on Monday to authorize the strike. This station serves thousands of Chicago-area households, according to the Teamsters union, which represents hundreds of Skokie delivery drivers. These workers, who organized over the summer, are demanding union recognition and a contract from Amazon. Gabriel Irizarry, a driver at DIL7, stated in a press release that Amazon, despite its claims of worker care, disrespects its employees’ right to negotiate for better conditions and wages.
Nearly 10,000 Amazon workers nationwide have joined the Teamsters at 10 sites, demanding higher wages, better benefits, and improved safety conditions. This represents a small fraction of Amazon’s 800,000 operations employees. Simultaneous picketing occurred at other Amazon facilities in New York City, Atlanta, Southern California, and San Francisco.
Amazon has refused to recognize the union at the Skokie facility, citing that the drivers are subcontractors for third-party delivery companies and not Amazon employees. Therefore, according to spokesperson Eileen Hards, there is no obligation to negotiate. Hards also stated that previous strikes at other Amazon sites had not affected operations. However, the Teamsters indicated that additional Amazon Teamsters are prepared to join the picketing, with local unions establishing picket lines at numerous Amazon Fulfillment Centers nationwide.
Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien attributed any potential holiday package delays to Amazon’s “insatiable greed,” criticizing the company for ignoring a deadline to negotiate. He asserted that the strike was a direct result of Amazon pushing workers to their limits. The Teamsters had given Amazon a December 15th deadline to begin contract negotiations, a deadline the company ignored, leading to the authorized strike.
Amazon recently announced record Black Friday Week and Cyber Monday sales, and reported substantial increases in third-quarter net sales and income. Despite this financial success, workers like Riley Holzworth emphasized the struggles they face to make ends meet. Amazon maintains its position that the Teamsters are misrepresenting the situation, falsely claiming to represent thousands of Amazon employees and drivers. They allege that the union has engaged in illegal intimidation tactics. The Teamsters, however, contend that Amazon uses its subcontractor model to avoid responsibility for driver wages, working conditions, and safety, a claim seemingly supported by preliminary findings from a National Labor Relations Board investigation in California. The investigation suggested Amazon is a joint employer of its subcontractor drivers and legally obligated to bargain with the Teamsters. Amazon denies these claims, asserting that the picketers are largely outsiders attempting to harass and intimidate its team. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million workers across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.