Thousands of Amazon workers in the United States are preparing for a massive strike during the peak Christmas shopping period, highlighting tensions between the retail giant and its employees over pay and working conditions, as per a report from Al-Jazeera.
Starting at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time (11:00 GMT) on Thursday, the strike will involve warehouse staff from major cities including New York, Atlanta, and San Francisco.
This marks the largest industrial action in Amazon’s US history, orchestrated by the Teamsters union, which accuses the company of neglecting its workforce.
The union claims Amazon has failed to negotiate fair pay and improved conditions, further fuelling dissatisfaction among employees.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien emphasised that Amazon had been given a clear deadline to address concerns but had ignored it.
As the strike coincides with Amazon’s busiest season, delayed shipments may intensify pressure on the e-commerce giant.
Amazon workers’ demands
The Teamsters union, representing over 10,000 Amazon workers, is pushing for better wages and working conditions.
While the union insists it speaks on behalf of a significant portion of the company’s workforce, Amazon disputes this claim.
The company asserts that the union’s activities, including attempts to unionise Amazon workers and third-party drivers, are unlawful and coercive, pointing to ongoing legal challenges against the Teamsters.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel criticised the union, stating that it has spread misinformation about its influence over the workforce.
She also described the upcoming strike as part of a “false narrative” designed to undermine Amazon’s operational reputation.
The e-commerce leader, which employs nearly 800,000 people across the US, has historically resisted unionisation efforts.
Critics argue that its anti-union stance reflects broader issues within the company’s labour practices, including alleged unsafe working conditions and the relentless pursuit of profit.
Safety concerns fuel growing unrest
Amazon’s treatment of its workforce has long been under scrutiny, with allegations of unsafe conditions and high injury rates among its warehouse staff.
A recent US Senate investigation found that the company’s stringent productivity goals expose workers to significant risks.
According to the report, Amazon employees are often pushed to fulfil quotas at speeds that compromise their health and safety.
In response, Amazon denied the findings, claiming the report used outdated and selective information.
However, growing discontent among its workforce, amplified by actions like the “Make Amazon Pay” campaign, suggests otherwise.
Last month, workers from over 20 countries, including the US and UK, joined the campaign to protest labour abuses and environmental concerns linked to the company’s practices.
As the Christmas season approaches, the implications of the strike extend beyond delayed orders.
The industrial action underscores a broader challenge for Amazon: reconciling its rapid growth and profitability with mounting worker dissatisfaction and global scrutiny.
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