Catenaa, Thursday, December 19, 2024 –Thousands of Amazon workers in the US may strike ahead of Christmas, citing the company’s refusal to recognize their union and negotiate contracts, the Teamsters union announced.
Facilities in Southern California, New York, and Illinois could face disruptions if demands are not met.
“Amazon must be held accountable to workers and consumers alike,” Teamsters said.
President Sean M. O’Brien, also accused the retail giant of ignoring a Dec. 15 negotiation deadline.
Amazon disputes the claims, with spokesperson Eileen Hards asserting the union misrepresents its influence.
“The Teamsters have threatened and coerced employees and third-party drivers, which is illegal,” Hards said.
The dispute comes amid heightened scrutiny of Amazon’s labor practices. A Senate investigation led by Senator Bernie Sanders revealed injury rates at Amazon warehouses exceed the industry average by over 30%.
The report accuses Amazon of prioritizing profit over worker safety.
Amazon dismissed the findings as “selective and outdated,” maintaining that it employs roughly 800,000 US workers and strives to ensure workplace safety.
The company has faced worker protests globally over conditions that worsened during the e-commerce surge of the pandemic.
Founder Jeff Bezos acknowledged in 2021 that Amazon must “do better” for employees.
