Amazon workers at 7 locations strike to demand labor contract

SEATTLE, Washington: Amazon workers at seven facilities went on strike on December 19, escalating the Teamsters union's campaign for a labor contract during a critical shopping season.

The walkout followed Amazon's failure to meet the union's Sunday deadline to begin contract negotiations.

The Teamsters, representing nearly 10,000 workers at 10 Amazon locations, called it the largest strike against the company in the U.S. so far. Amazon, which employs about 800,000 warehouse workers nationwide, said the strike is unlikely to disrupt its operations.

"Amazon is pushing its workers closer to the picket line by failing to show them the respect they have earned," Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien said.

The strikes are taking place at seven delivery stations, where packages are sorted and sent to contractors for delivery. Locations include three sites in Southern California and one each in San Francisco, New York City, Atlanta, and Skokie, Illinois.

According to the NYPD, two individuals were taken into custody during a demonstration in Queens, New York, and later released with court summonses.

At some facilities, workers unionized without formal elections, demonstrating majority support instead-a rare but legally recognized practice. Striking workers include warehouse employees in San Francisco and subcontracted delivery drivers elsewhere.

Amazon disputes the union's representation claims. Spokesperson Kelly Nantel said, "What you see here are almost entirely outsiders, not Amazon employees or partners, and the suggestion otherwise is just another lie from the Teamsters."

"The truth is that they were unable to get enough support from our employees and partners and have brought in outsiders to come and harass and intimidate our team, which is inappropriate and dangerous," Nantel said.

The company has also argued that third-party businesses, not Amazon, employ subcontracted delivery drivers. However, the Teamsters contend Amazon controls drivers' work and should be classified as their employer-a position supported by U.S. labor regulators.

As strikes continue, more workers, including those at Staten Island's JFK8 warehouse and a California air hub, have authorized walkouts. The Teamsters said they are prepared to expand the strikes, which could disrupt shipments in some areas if prolonged.

Amazon shares rose 1.3 percent on December 19 but dipped slightly in after-hours trading.