Thousands of Amazon delivery drivers have launched a major strike at seven hubs across the United States, marking a critical standoff during the peak holiday shopping season. Organized under the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the drivers are protesting Amazon’s refusal to negotiate a labor contract, despite a ruling from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that recognizes Amazon as a joint employer with its third-party delivery contractors.
Workers Demand Recognition and Bargaining Rights
The strike spans key locations in Southern California, San Francisco, New York City, Atlanta, and Skokie, Illinois. Pickets have formed outside Amazon delivery stations where packages are prepped for delivery—a critical bottleneck in the company’s logistics chain. The Teamsters have stated that other Amazon workers nationwide are prepared to join the strike if negotiations remain stalled, signaling a potentially broader labor uprising.
“Amazon is pushing its workers closer to the picket line by failing to show them the respect they have earned,” said Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien. The union’s demands stem from what it describes as Amazon’s repeated violations of labor laws and its unwillingness to engage in collective bargaining. Earlier this year, the NLRB issued a complaint against Amazon, asserting that the company and its third-party contractors have a legal obligation to recognize and bargain with the Teamsters.
Amazon’s Response
Amazon has repeatedly denied the Teamsters’ claims and criticized the union’s tactics. “For more than a year now, the Teamsters have continued to intentionally mislead the public—claiming that they represent ‘thousands of Amazon employees and drivers.’ They don’t,” said Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson. Nantel accused the union of using intimidation tactics, stating, “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.”
The crux of Amazon’s argument lies in its business model. The company relies heavily on third-party contractors, known as Delivery Service Partners (DSPs), to handle its package deliveries. Amazon contends that these delivery drivers are not its employees and that the union is misrepresenting the situation. Nantel reiterated this position, saying, “What you see here are almost entirely outsiders, not Amazon employees or partners, and the suggestion otherwise is just another lie from the Teamsters.”
A Growing Movement
Despite Amazon’s denials, the Teamsters argue that the company exercises significant control over its delivery operations, effectively making it the employer of these drivers. This argument has gained traction with U.S. labor regulators, who have sided with the union in multiple filings before the NLRB. In September, Amazon raised wages for its drivers, a move seen by many as a response to growing union pressure.
The strike comes on the heels of other labor actions involving Amazon workers. At the Staten Island warehouse known as JFK8, workers voted to unionize in 2022 and formally affiliated with the Teamsters this past summer. However, Amazon has refused to negotiate with these workers as well, prompting a lawsuit from the company challenging the NLRB’s authority. Similar efforts are underway at Amazon’s air hub in California, where employees have also authorized strikes.
Tensions Rise During Holiday Season
The timing of the strike is no coincidence. With the holiday shopping season in full swing, Amazon’s logistics network is under immense pressure. The delivery stations affected by the strike are crucial nodes where packages are sorted and handed off to contractors for last-mile delivery. “The workers voted to authorize strikes in recent days,” the Teamsters said, “after Amazon ignored a Sunday deadline the union set for contract negotiations.”
The union claims this is the largest strike against Amazon to date in the U.S., involving nearly 10,000 workers at 10 facilities. However, Amazon disputes the numbers and insists that the strike will have minimal impact on its operations. “Though Amazon says it does not expect the strike to impact its operations, a walkout—especially one that lasts many days—could delay shipments in some metro areas,” noted the Teamsters in a statement.
Arrests and Escalating Tensions
The strike has not been without incidents. In New York City, two individuals were taken into custody during a demonstration in Queens. The New York Police Department confirmed the arrests, although the reasons for them remain unclear. The individuals were reportedly released after being issued court summons.
The strike has also drawn attention to broader labor issues at Amazon. John Logan, director of labor and employment studies at San Francisco State University, pointed out that under labor law, companies can voluntarily recognize unions without holding elections, but such practices are rare. “Amazon’s refusal to bargain with the unionized workers shows a deep resistance to any form of collective worker power,” Logan said.
A Precedent in the Making
As the holiday rush continues, the strike’s outcome could set a significant precedent for labor relations at Amazon and beyond. For the striking drivers, the fight is about more than wages and working conditions—it’s about the right to be recognized and respected as employees. “Amazon’s repeated refusal to follow the law and bargain with the thousands of Amazon workers who organized with the Teamsters cannot be ignored,” the union declared.
For now, the picket lines stand, and the question remains whether Amazon will choose to negotiate or continue its hardline stance. Either way, this labor action underscores the growing push for worker rights in an industry defined by rapid growth, high demands, and relentless competition.
