Amazon workers are on strike in seven US locations, alleging unfair treatment

Amazon.com workers at seven US locations walked off the job early Thursday morning during the holiday shopping rush as workers protested what they say is the giant's mistreatment of its workers.

Warehouse workers in cities including New York, Atlanta and San Francisco were participating in what Teamsters officials called the largest-ever strike against Amazon — but one that could disrupt many of the shipping company's operations.

CBC News has reached out to Amazon to ask if the strike will affect its operations in Canada.

“There are no strikes in Canada and there is no impact on operations,” the spokesperson said.

As the world's second-largest private employer behind Walmart, Amazon has long been the target of unions that say the company's emphasis on speed and efficiency can lead to injuries. The company says it pays the best wages in the industry and uses automation designed to reduce repetitive stress.

Amazon shares rose 1.8 percent Thursday afternoon.

Workers told Reuters they want Amazon to come to the negotiating table and recognize the pressure to meet their health needs. However, the strikers represent a small number of the more than 800,000 people employed by Amazon at more than 600 US fulfillment centers, delivery stations and same-day locations.

“[Amazon] “It's like there's no quota system, but there's a strict quota system that pushes people to exceed their actual limits in an unnatural way,” said Jordan Soreff, 63, who delivers about 300 packages a day to Amazon in the New York City suburbs. Queens and Brooklyn.

“The more you do, the more you are expected to do.”

Soreff was one of about 100 people outside the Amazon facility in Queens, including many Teamsters members who do not work at Amazon. However, the center is still working, some drivers go to work and then leave in trucks with the help of the police who stopped the protesters from stopping the drivers.

Amazon accuses the union of deliberately misleading the public

The Teamsters “deliberately misled the public” and “intimidated, intimidated and attempted to coerce” third-party workers and drivers into joining, an Amazon spokeswoman said.

Amazon has multiple locations in most major US cities, protecting it from potential disruption. The company said it does not expect any impact on operations during one of the busiest times of the year. In 2023, the company sold more than 500 million items at independent retailers on Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday.

“There may be some isolated delays. I don't think it will have an impact,” said Morningstar analyst Dan Romanoff.

Earlier this year, Amazon announced an investment of US $ 2.1 billion to increase the payment of fulfillment and transportation of workers in the United States, increasing the basic wages for workers by at least $ 1.50 to $ 22 an hour.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters had given Amazon a December 15 deadline to begin negotiations, but that date passed without negotiations. The Teamsters say they represent 10,000 workers at 10 Amazon facilities, but the e-commerce giant disputes this, saying there are no elections or bargaining orders at these locations.