Central Virginia Teamsters labor union joins nationwide strike against Amazon
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Central Virginia's Teamsters Local 322 has joined the nationwide strike against Amazon, as union advocates and Amazon workers affiliated with the union seek better health benefits, working conditions and pay. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters launching what they say is the 'largest strike against Amazon in American History Thursday. “We’ve been clear: Amazon has until December 15 to come to the table and bargain for a contract," said Teamsters general president Sean M. O’Brien in a press release posted to the labor union's website. "If these white-collar criminals want to keep breaking the law, they better get ready for a fight." Amazon workers from distribution facilities in New York City, Atlanta, Southern California and Illinois joined the picket lines Thursday and continued into Friday. Teamsters unions in Central Virginia have joined in, showing support. "You have thousands and thousands of more Amazon workers across the country that are trying to form unions in their workplace," said Dwanye Johnson, secretary-treasurer and director of organizing for Teamsters Local 322. "They are trying to form unions because of safety issues —just flat out all your working conditions, the way that they're paid [and] you know, these folks are just fed up." Teamsters has said it represents nearly 10,000 of the more than 1.5 million Amazon employees. "I did have one of the workers that came out here saying that they have old equipment that is in need of repair that [Amazon is] just not fixing or replacing," said Joseph Bare, shop steward for Teamsters Local 322. "And then I don't think they [employees] have that great of an access to the bathrooms throughout their shift." 8News reached out to Amazon, who gave an email response stating the strike was a PR play. The company referred us to a statement from spokesperson Kelly Nantel: “For more than a year now, the Teamsters have continued to intentionally mislead the public – claiming that they represent ‘thousands of Amazon employees and drivers’. They don’t, and this is another attempt to push a false narrative. The truth is that the Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them, which is illegal and is the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges against the union." What you’re seeing at these sites 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 harass and intimidate our team, which is inappropriate and dangerous. We appreciate all our team’s great work to serve their customers and communities, and thanks to them, we’re not seeing any impact to customers’ orders. Kelly Nantel, spokesperson for Amazon Though strike activities continue amid the holiday delivery rush, Amazon has said there has been no impact on its operations.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Central Virginia's Teamsters Local 322 has joined the nationwide strike against Amazon, as union advocates and Amazon workers affiliated with the union seek better health benefits, working conditions and pay.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters launching what they say is the 'largest strike against Amazon in American History Thursday.
“We’ve been clear: Amazon has until December 15 to come to the table and bargain for a contract," said Teamsters general president Sean M. O’Brien in a press release posted to the labor union's website. "If these white-collar criminals want to keep breaking the law, they better get ready for a fight."
Amazon workers from distribution facilities in New York City, Atlanta, Southern California and Illinois joined the picket lines Thursday and continued into Friday.
Teamsters unions in Central Virginia have joined in, showing support.
"You have thousands and thousands of more Amazon workers across the country that are trying to form unions in their workplace," said Dwanye Johnson, secretary-treasurer and director of organizing for Teamsters Local 322. "They are trying to form unions because of safety issues —just flat out all your working conditions, the way that they're paid [and] you know, these folks are just fed up."
Teamsters has said it represents nearly 10,000 of the more than 1.5 million Amazon employees.
"I did have one of the workers that came out here saying that they have old equipment that is in need of repair that [Amazon is] just not fixing or replacing," said Joseph Bare, shop steward for Teamsters Local 322. "And then I don't think they [employees] have that great of an access to the bathrooms throughout their shift."
8News reached out to Amazon, who gave an email response stating the strike was a PR play. The company referred us to a statement from spokesperson Kelly Nantel:
“For more than a year now, the Teamsters have continued to intentionally mislead the public – claiming that they represent ‘thousands of Amazon employees and drivers’. They don’t, and this is another attempt to push a false narrative. The truth is that the Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them, which is illegal and is the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges against the union."
What you’re seeing at these sites 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 harass and intimidate our team, which is inappropriate and dangerous. We appreciate all our team’s great work to serve their customers and communities, and thanks to them, we’re not seeing any impact to customers’ orders. Kelly Nantel, spokesperson for Amazon
Though strike activities continue amid the holiday delivery rush, Amazon has said there has been no impact on its operations.
