The International Brotherhood of Teamsters expressed support for the Amazon workers' strike that began Thursday after the company failed to meet a deadline for labor negotiations with protesters.
On Saturday, the strike spread to several other shipping and distribution centers.
“These greedy executives had every opportunity to show decency and respect for those who make their sordid profits possible. Rather, they push workers to the limit and make them pay the price. We are here,” Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said in a statement.
“This attack is against them,” he added.
The union's goal is to bring Amazon to the negotiating table during the busy holiday season and agree to higher wages, better contracts and more benefits.
Here's what you need to know about the ongoing strike.
Where are the protests taking place?
The Teamsters first announced Thursday that workers would strike in multiple states. Since then, people from Staten Island, New York, and San Bernardino, California, have joined the picket line.
Other states where strikes will take place include Georgia and Illinois.
One San Bernardino employee at the site, named DTG8, said he was striking in hopes that Amazon would:better working conditions”
Workers on strike in New York accused Amazon of “jeopardizing” their holiday pay.
What was Amazon's response?
The e-commerce company vehemently denies allegations of fraud or abuse and claims the Teamsters misrepresents itself as representing 10,000 Amazon employees.
“The truth is that the Teamsters were actively trying to intimidate and intimidate Amazon employees and third-party drivers into joining the Teamsters, which is illegal and against the union. “We are the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges,” Kelly Nantel said. An Amazon spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill.
“What we're looking at here are almost entirely outsiders, not Amazon employees or partners. And any suggestion otherwise is just a lie by the Teamsters,” she added.
The company said many of the protesters are not directly employed by Amazon but work for the company as delivery drivers through third parties.
“The truth is they don't have enough support from our employees and partners and are bringing in outsiders to harass and intimidate our teams, which is inappropriate and dangerous. '' Nantel said.
When will the strike end?
Amazon has not given a clear answer on whether it will come to the negotiating table with the workers represented by the Teamsters. A spokesperson said the order was not affected by the protests.
The company acknowledged that it offers medical plans and competitive benefits to its employees.
Amazon also said it plans to gradually invest more than $2 million in safety programs when asked about strikers' concerns.
But protesters say that is not enough. Workers have vowed to strike for however long it takes to reach a deal with the multitrillion-dollar business founded by Jeff Bezos.
Over the past few days, the Teamsters have pushed for another strike. social media Through videos and narrations outlining the current situation of workers.
“I've seen the Teamsters win big battles.” said Dia Ortiz works at DBK4 in New York. “We're ready to do what it takes to win this game.”
