Amazon picket lines continues amid holiday rush

Days before Christmas, Amazon workers and contractors across Southern California have joined a nationwide strike, calling for better wages, benefits, and safety measures. The coordinated effort involves picketing at facilities in Palmdale, Victorville, Industry, and San Bernardino, with disruptions reported as workers block driveways to delay deliveries temporarily.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, representing 1.3 million workers across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, organized these demonstrations after Amazon allegedly ignored a Sunday deadline to begin contract negotiations.

However, Amazon clarified that these events are not strikes, as no Amazon employees or facilities are unionized under the legal process overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). According to Amazon spokesperson Montana MacLachlan:

• "We are not anticipating any disruptions, delays, or impact to deliveries or operations at this time."
• "Teamsters does not represent any part of our workforce, as there are no Amazon sites that have officially been unionized nationwide. There have been no elections, no bargaining orders, [and] no ULP decisions directing bargaining."

Additionally, Amazon confirmed that it does not directly employ delivery drivers. Instead, drivers are hired by independent contractors known as Delivery Service Partners (DSPs). A DSP information sheet explains: "…DSPs as independent businesses hire and manage their own employees…"

Amazon also stated it did not engage with the Teamsters at the bargaining table because there are no union members, and therefore, no contract to negotiate.

Teamsters’ Claims and Amazon’s Response

The Teamsters claim they represent delivery drivers and some warehouse workers. Union spokesperson Robert Gonzalez asserted that the NLRB had found Amazon to be a "joint employer" with DSPs. However, Amazon disputed this claim, stating that the NLRB has not issued a final ruling on the matter. The NLRB has scheduled a hearing for March 2025 to evaluate the merits of the petition.

Gonzalez also reported that Teamsters have organized approximately 100 picket lines across the country, though this figure could not be independently verified. The union has distributed signature cards for employees to signal interest in unionizing. However, no formal notification has been submitted to the NLRB to initiate the unionization process.

Disruption and Impact

At the Industry facility, picketers have been strategically blocking driveways, delaying trucks from entering or exiting the site for several minutes at a time before allowing them to pass. Despite these disruptions, Amazon stated that its operations and deliveries remain unaffected, with most items still available for next-day delivery.

"This is day two of the strike," reported FOX 11's Gigi Graciette from the scene, where drivers expressed frustration over their working conditions. One driver noted, "The work that I do, [$20 to $25 an hour], I felt like a slap in the face." "We want some of the benefits that UPS drivers have," said another. 

"I'm not here today because Amazon has refused to recognize us," one worker told Graciette. "They've been union-busting, sending consultants to shame the union."

The demonstrations come as Amazon faces scrutiny over labor practices, and tensions are likely to continue as the NLRB hearing approaches.

The following Amazon facilities in California are affected by the strike:

• DFX4 located at 15272 Bear Valley Road, Victorville;
• DAX5 located at 15930 Valley Blvd., Industry;
• DAX8 located at 600 W. Technology Drive, Palmdale; and
• KSBD air hub located at the San Bernardino International Airport