Amazon Strike Continues at Queens Distribution Center Amid Holiday Rush
Roughly 100 drivers who work for Amazon contractors protested outside a company distribution center in Queens on Friday as part of the second day of strikes across seven facilities nationwide where workers are demanding better pay and benefits as customers await a torrent of holiday deliveries. The strikes were organized by the Teamsters union, who claimed it was the largest strike against Amazon in U.S. history.
Why are these workers striking? The drivers and warehouse workers are demanding better pay and benefits from Amazon. They feel that the company has repeatedly refused to bargain with them, leading to the current labor action. The protests are taking place not just in Queens but also in Atlanta, San Francisco, and other locations.
The Queens facility, located in an industrial area on Grand Avenue, saw drivers holding up signs and chanting for contracts and better working conditions. Some drivers from competitor companies and commuters honked in solidarity with the workers, showing support for their cause. A makeshift tent provided doughnuts, pizza, and coffee for the workers who had been demonstrating since 6 a.m.
The workers’ frustrations were evident, with one driver, David Garzon, expressing how overwhelmed he felt by the sheer volume of packages he had to deliver in such a short time. Another driver, Terrell Johnson, emphasized the importance of the strike, stating that it was necessary to make Amazon listen by hitting them where it hurts – in their pockets.
Despite Amazon’s claims that the strikes were not impacting customer orders, the Teamsters union and the workers on strike remain steadfast in their demands for fair treatment and better working conditions. The ongoing legal disputes between Amazon and the union only serve to highlight the deep-seated issues at play in this labor dispute.
The solidarity shown by elected officials like Rep. Jerry Nadler and mayoral candidates such as City Comptroller Brad Lander and state Sens. Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos further underscores the importance of workers’ rights and the need for Amazon to come to the table and negotiate in good faith.
In the midst of the holiday rush, these workers are standing up for themselves and their fellow colleagues, sending a powerful message to Amazon and its customers that their demands for fair treatment will not be ignored. The outcome of this strike could have far-reaching implications for labor relations within the tech giant and beyond. It’s a battle that goes beyond just a simple labor dispute – it’s a fight for dignity, respect, and fair treatment in the workplace.
