“These grasping executives had each probability to indicate decency and respect for the individuals who make their obscene earnings potential,” Teamsters basic president Sean M. O’Brien mentioned in a public assertion. “As an alternative, they’ve pushed staff to the restrict and now they’re paying the value. This strike is on them.”
This has been a record-breaking 12 months for Amazon. In accordance with the corporate’s Q3 earnings report, the revenue from July by way of September rose 55 % in 2024 in comparison with the identical interval final 12 months. In a press launch printed with the earnings report, Amazon president and CEO Andy Jassy mentioned the corporate was “enthusiastic about what we have now in retailer for patrons” for the vacation season. The report anticipated internet gross sales to be between $181.5 billion and $188.5 billion in This autumn.
“We haven’t seen any impression on our operations” from the strikes, says Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel. “We recognize all our workforce’s nice work to serve their prospects and communities, and are persevering with to concentrate on getting prospects their vacation orders.” Nantel additionally accused the Teamsters of harassing and intimidating Amazon workers.
At DBK4, positioned in Queens, New York, tons of of Amazon staff marched on the sidewalk in entrance of the exit to a parking storage, at instances verbally confronting exiting supply drivers who had been crossing the picket line. Many supply vans blared their horns in unison as they waited in line to get out of the parking storage. Some protesting staff held indicators saying “Amazon obey the legislation.” The marchers included individuals who got here out in solidarity, carrying indicators representing the New York State Nurses Affiliation and Metropolis College of New York (CUNY) college students.
In the meantime, New York Police Division officers stood on the street, generally shouting at and shoving staff who stepped off the sidewalk. Simply after 9 am ET, NYPD arrested a supply driver who tried to exit his supply van simply outdoors the parking storage and be part of the strikers. At round 9:50 am, NYPD introduced by way of loudspeaker that any staff who stood within the street could be arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. Shortly after, the NYPD positioned a Teamsters organizer beneath arrest, although it’s unclear in the event that they had been on the street. Ultimately, police arrange barricades outdoors the storage and commenced personally organizing the supply vans with non-striking Amazon loss-prevention staff.