In a historic move just days before Christmas, thousands of Amazon workers across the United States have launched what's being called the largest strike ever against the e-commerce giant.
The strike, led by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union, began Thursday with workers walking out at facilities in New York City, Atlanta, Southern California, San Francisco, and Illinois. The union has also established picket lines at hundreds of Amazon fulfillment centers nationwide.
Workers are demanding higher wages, improved safety conditions, and better workplace standards. Amazon delivery drivers are specifically pushing for pay parity with USPS and UPS drivers, who currently earn more than double Amazon's proposed $22 per hour wage rate.
"We are fighting against a vicious union-busting campaign, and we are going to win," said Leah Pensler, a warehouse worker in San Francisco.
The strike comes after Amazon allegedly refused to negotiate with workers who joined the Teamsters union. Nearly 9,000 Amazon workers across 20 bargaining units have affiliated with the Teamsters, though this represents less than 1% of Amazon's total U.S. workforce of 800,000.
Amazon maintains the strikes are primarily attended by outside organizers rather than employees. The company states it has increased starting wages by 20% and raised the average base wage to $22 per hour in September.
Regarding holiday deliveries, Amazon claims operations will continue normally, advising customers to wait 48 hours before inquiring about any delayed packages.
The tension between workers and management has been building, with employees citing workplace injury rates that reportedly double industry standards. "Amazon does not respect us and our right to negotiate for better working conditions and wages. We can't even afford to pay our bills," said Gabriel Irizarry, a driver in Skokie, Illinois.
The strike's timing during the peak holiday shopping season puts additional pressure on Amazon to address workers' demands, though the company maintains its current compensation and safety practices are adequate.