Editor’s Note: The Teamsters officially went on strike at 6 a. m. m. on Thursday, picketing in front of Amazon’s warehouse in Maspeth, Queens.
NEW YORK – The Teamsters union is launching a strike against Amazon in many places across the country, Maspeth, Queens.
The Teamsters call it the largest strike against Amazon in US history and it is expected to begin at 6 a. m. on Thursday. In addition to New York City, they will demonstrate in Atlanta, Southern California, San Francisco and the Chicago suburbs.
In a video announcement released Wednesday night, workers voiced their frustrations.
“Us being strike ready means we’re fed up, and Amazon is clearly ignoring us and we want to be heard,” one worker says in the video.
“It’s really exciting. We’re taking steps for ourselves to win better conditions, better benefits, better wages,” another worker in the video says.
The union says it represents about 10,000 Amazon employees and that Amazon refused to come to the table and negotiate. The $2 trillion company doesn’t pay employees enough to make ends meet, the union asserts.
In the middle of the Christmas season, many are wondering what happens to the packages that have been in transit lately.
Teamsters President Sean O’Brien said, “If it’s delayed over the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed. “
An Amazon spokesperson says the Teamsters are misleading the public and do not represent any Amazon employees, despite any claims.
“The fact is that the Teamsters have threatened, intimidated and actively attempted to coerce Amazon workers and outside drivers to join them, which is illegal and the issue of unfair rates for hard work practices is opposed to the union,” Array said the spokesman. in a statement.
An Amazon representative said the company expects its operations to be affected.