Nationwide Action Kicks Off on December 19, 2023

In a landmark event in the labor movement, the Teamsters union is initiating the largest strike against Amazon in U.S. history on December 19, 2023, starting at 6 a.m. EST. This decisive action comes as a response to Amazon's consistent neglect of legal obligations and refusal to negotiate with the thousands of workers who have united under the Teamsters’ banner.

Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien made a strong statement, declaring, “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed. We provided Amazon with a clear deadline to engage in meaningful negotiations. They ignored it, and now workers are taking a stand.” O’Brien emphasized that this strike is a direct consequence of Amazon’s failure to respect its workforce, pushing them to their limits.

The strike will see workers picketing at key Amazon locations including DBK4 in New York City, DGT8 in Atlanta, several sites in Southern California, DCK6 in San Francisco, and DIL7 in Skokie, Illinois. Workers from other Amazon facilities across the nation are also poised to join this monumental movement.

Picket lines will be established at hundreds of Amazon Fulfillment Centers, and even those workers without existing collective bargaining agreements have the legal right to participate by not crossing these lines. Leah Pensler, a warehouse worker at DCK6 in San Francisco, declared, “What we’re doing is historic. We are fighting against a vicious union-busting campaign, and we are going to win.”

As the second-largest corporation on the Fortune 500 list, Amazon boasts a valuation exceeding $2 trillion, yet workers argue that their wages insufficiently reflect the cost of living. “They talk a big game about taking care of their workers, but when it comes down to it, Amazon does not respect us,” stated Gabriel Irizarry, a driver at DIL7 in Skokie. “We are struggling to pay our bills.”

The strike is backed by nearly 10,000 Amazon workers who have rallied together to demand fair wages, improved benefits, and safer working conditions. Dia Ortiz, a worker at DBK4 in New York, voiced her determination: “I’ve seen the Teamsters win big battles. We’re ready to do what it takes to win this one.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters stands strong with 1.3 million members across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. The union’s resolve is unwavering as they aim to achieve justice for workers within one of the world’s wealthiest corporations.

Stay tuned as this historic strike unfolds and could reshape the future of labor rights! Will Amazon respond with meaningful changes, or is the company prepared to face the consequences of its actions? The nation watches closely.