California Amazon workers join national Teamsters strike with picket lines at 4 facilities

Amazon workers at four California facilities will join their striking colleagues on the picket line Thursday morning after reaching an impasse during labor negotiations.

This was announced by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the union that represents 10,000 Amazon employees decision was made based on claims that the company refuses to recognize their union and will not negotiate a fair contract. Beginning at 3 a.m. Pacific Time, workers from two Los Angeles County facilities, one in San Bernardino County and another in San Francisco County, will form picket lines outside their warehouses.

“We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do the right thing for our members. They ignored that,” claimed Sean M. O’Brien, Teamsters general president.

Following the announcement, Amazon stated that the Teamsters’ latest action is “another attempt to spread a false narrative” and that the union has “continued to deliberately mislead the public” by claiming that they represent Amazon workers and drivers.

“The truth is that the Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers into joining their ranks, which is illegal and the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges against the union,” Amazon says spokesperson Kelly. Nantel stated.

Employees at facilities in Atlanta, New York City and a Chicago suburb will join the strike at their respective locations. The Teamsters rebuked Amazon’s claims of “false stories.”

“Amazon employees have had enough and the Teamsters stand ready to help them secure justice in their workplaces,” said Teamster spokesperson Kara Deniz.

With one week until Christmas, it is unclear what impact the strike will have on consumers.

“What we have learned from the pandemic is that any potential disruption both up and down the supply chain can cause ripple effects,” said Juan De Lara, an associate professor at USC.

De Lara studies warehouse jobs, workers and unions at the university.

“It could be that they can handle it and there won’t be any problems,” he said. “It could be that a small part of their supply chain is disrupted and that has ripple effects and that could be disastrous for the company.”