SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY – Amazon Teamsters at four Southern California facilities — Victorville, San Bernardino, Palmdale, and the City of Industry, have authorized strikes after they say Amazon refused to recognize their union and negotiate contracts.
“The corporate elitists who run Amazon are leaving workers with no choice,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Greedy executives are pushing thousands of hardworking Americans to the brink.”
Strike might have serious impact on region
According to the Teamsters, Amazon ignored a December 15 deadline to come to the bargaining table to secure union contracts that increase wages and improve benefits.
They say Amazon now faces potential large-scale labor actions at a critical time of year, however, the timeline for when workers plan to walk off the job remains uncertain.
“If Amazon forces a strike, it might have a serious impact on customers throughout the region and beyond,” said San Bernardino Amazon Air Hub worker Tobias Cheng.
Another attempt to push a false narrative
In a statement, an Amazon spokesperson said Teamsters have continued to intentionally mislead the public – claiming that they represent thousands of Amazon employees and drivers.
“They don’t; this is another attempt to push a false narrative,” said Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards.
Hards goes on to say that the Teamsters have threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them, which she says is illegal and is the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges against the union.
In addition to the four California facilities, Amazon workers in Skokie, Ill., and New York City have also voted to authorize strikes.
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