Amazon Faces Largest-Ever Strike in U.S. Amid Worker Protests Over Conditions
Warehouse workers at seven U.S. Amazon facilities walked off the job on Thursday in protest of what they describe as the retail giant’s unfair treatment of its employees. The walkouts, which took place in cities like New York, Atlanta, and San Francisco, mark what Teamsters officials are calling the largest-ever strike against Amazon, although the company believes it will have minimal impact on operations.
Amazon, the world’s second-largest private employer after Walmart, has long faced criticism from unions, who argue that the company’s relentless focus on speed and efficiency leads to workplace injuries. Amazon counters that it pays industry-leading wages and employs automation to reduce repetitive stress.
Despite the strike, Amazon shares rose 1.8% on Thursday afternoon. Workers told Reuters that they are seeking negotiations with Amazon to address the pressure to meet quotas, which they say negatively affect their health. However, the protestors represent a small fraction of Amazon’s 800,000-plus workforce across more than 600 U.S. fulfillment centers and delivery stations.
One protestor, Jordan Soreff, 63, a driver in New York City, explained, “There’s a rigorous quota system that pushes people beyond their real physical limits.” He said that employees are expected to work faster, creating a grueling cycle of increased pressure. Despite the protest in Queens, the facility remained operational, with other drivers continuing their work with assistance from police who prevented protestors from blocking the trucks.
Amazon has dismissed the claims from the Teamsters, accusing them of misleading the public and attempting to coerce employees into joining the strike. The company has a vast network of facilities, which it believes shields it from significant disruptions, particularly during the peak holiday shopping period. Amazon has stated that the protests are unlikely to cause material delays, even during busy times like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when it sold over 500 million items from independent sellers last year.
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In response to worker demands, Amazon announced a $2.1 billion investment earlier this year to raise pay for fulfillment and transportation employees, with base wages increasing by at least $1.50 to about $22 per hour. However, the Teamsters claim Amazon has not engaged in meaningful negotiations, despite a Dec. 15 deadline for talks. The union represents 10,000 workers at 10 Amazon facilities, although Amazon disputes this figure, saying no elections or bargaining orders have been made for those locations.
Amazon has historically been resistant to unionization efforts. It has yet to recognize the Staten Island facility, where workers voted to unionize in 2022, and has challenged the legitimacy of that vote in federal court. Other labor actions are expected in the coming months, including potential strikes from U.S. port workers and a union representing more than 10,000 Starbucks baristas.
In San Francisco, more than three dozen protestors gathered outside the Amazon facility, with many expressing concerns over safety and working conditions. Janeé Roberts, a warehouse employee, explained that the physical toll of the job and lack of proper benefits for part-time workers were key reasons for her participation in the strike.
Amazon is also facing solidarity strikes in Germany, with United Services Union organizing protests at Amazon warehouses across the country.
