Amazon workers across Southern California are joining a nationwide strike, a week before Christmas, as the Teamsters argue the company is denying their right to unionize.
The union’s decision to strike follows Amazon's refusal to negotiate labor contracts and working conditions.
The workers, based at distribution and fulfillment centers in the City of Industry, Palmdale, San Bernardino and Victorville, are joining what Teamsters considers "the largest strike against Amazon in U.S. history."
Randy Korgan, the director of Amazon’s Teamsters Division and secretary of Teamsters Local 1932, says workers are fed up with the company’s practices.
“Workers all over the country are fed up with low wages and disrespect, and they're tired of the illegal union busting,” said Korgan. “They've reached their limit, and it's at that point where they're saying, ‘We want to go on strike.’”
Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards accused the Teamsters in a statement of misleading the public about representing thousands of workers.
“They don’t, and this is another attempt to push a false narrative,” reads Hards’ statement. “The truth is that the Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them, which is illegal and is the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges against the union."
Korgan says as he understands labor laws, Teamsters aren't doing anything illegal. “Why would we? It is impossible to work with people if you're threatening, intimidating or coercing them in a negative way,” he said.
Isaiah Mauu, 27, is a delivery driver at Amazon’s DFX4 facility in Victorville. He says he only makes about $37,000 per year. Compared to other unionized drivers at FedEx and UPS, Mau says that’s nearly not enough to survive.
“We live in California... $22.50 can't pay for nothing,” said Mauu.
Mauu believes Amazon shouldn’t sacrifice the well-being of its employers to prioritize customer satisfaction.
“I think Amazon, being the trillion dollar company they are, can just do better,” said Mauu. “Is there a smile behind the person who's giving these packages, that are shipping these packages?
Striking SoCal Amazon workers are joined by employees in San Francisco, New York City, Atlanta and Skokie, Illinois.
