Amazon workers strike at seven US sites during year's busiest period

[Endymio]

I feel like y'all didnt even bother reading the article. Their union contract is up for renewal, and amazon is refusing to meet at the negotiating table. This is something they are LEGALLY bound to do, if the workers have voted to unionize.

No; you merely got played by the media and dishonest reporting. The workers have *not* voted to unionize, which is why most workers are simply ignoring this. The Teamsters claims that one facility did vote in favor -- Staten Island -- but Amazon has challenged this in court. Those breaking the law are the corrupt Teamsters:

"...Teamsters have threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers...."

Even worse, the primary "abusive practice" that striking workers wish to end is Amazon setting quotas on workers. They want to work at their own speed, and not be fired if they're overly slow.

We dont live in Gilded-Age America. It's not 1850.

It's not 1920 either. If workers don't like Amazon, they're free to work elsewhere. In fact, I doubt anyone quibbles over their right to strike -- the issue is that striking workers aren't just staying home, they're actively threatening and harassing other workers and Amazon executives, attempting to block delivery trucks, and otherwise engaging in terror tactics to try to shut down the business.

 

[yRaz]

No; you merely got played by the media and dishonest reporting. The workers have *not* voted to unionize, which is why most workers are simply ignoring this. The Teamsters claims that one facility did vote in favor -- Staten Island -- but Amazon has challenged this in court. Those breaking the law are the corrupt Teamsters:

"...Teamsters have threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers...."

Even worse, the primary "abusive practice" that striking workers wish to end is Amazon setting quotas on workers. They want to work at their own speed, and not be fired if they're overly slow.


It's not 1920 either. If workers don't like Amazon, they're free to work elsewhere. In fact, I doubt anyone quibbles over their right to strike -- the issue is that striking workers aren't just staying home, they're actively threatening and harassing other workers and Amazon executives, attempting to block delivery trucks, and otherwise engaging in terror tactics to try to shut down the business.

They haven't been allowed to unionize or form a union. When certain factories unionize, Amazon refuses to recognize those unions. There does come a time when a WEAK union has to fight for their rights. I'm lucky enough to be part of a strong union. When we make demands we basically get what we want because we've had the last 80 years to show that we WILL shut jobsites down and our union funds that we pay into have enough money to pay our bills for several months if we can't work. You have a 2 billion dollar sky scraper you're building? Not without us.

Amazon has single handedly made department stores irrelevant and made a shipping service that abuses people to the point that your package is covered in germs from their employees packages.

Ignoring the human rights violations all together, do you understand how disgusting the box that arrives at your door and it's contents are?

 

[Endymio]

They haven't been allowed to unionize or form a union

The Teamsters have engaged in illegal threats and intimidation, and still haven't been able to get workers to vote in favor of unions -- except (possibly) the one single site of Staten Island. Amazon claims many workers there were threatened with violence. Knowing the history of the Teamsters, I tend to believe them.

I'm lucky enough to be part of a strong union. When we make demands we basically get what we want because we've had the last 80 years to show that we WILL shut jobsites down

You support domestic terrorism. Got it. You have a right to strike. You do NOT have a right to destroy your employer's business.

Amazon ... abuses people to the point that your package is covered in germs from their employees packages.

Did you pull this from "The Onion" or Saturday Night Live?

 

[yRaz]

The Teamsters have engaged in illegal threats and intimidation

The Teamsters was run by the mob and the reason it is joke today is that it basically died with Jimmy Jaffa.

Amazon claims many workers there were threatened with violence. Knowing the history of the Teamsters, I tend to believe them.

this is nonsense, the Teamsters haven't had a real union since the 80's and it's essentially the only thing that Amazon can say to fight back against it. If you were familiar with the teamsters then you'd know that they haven't had any power for nearly 50 years.

You support domestic terrorism. Got it. You have a right to strike. You do NOT have a right to destroy your employer's business.

Actually, I do. It's called "stop work authority". I not only have every OSHA certification, I am DHS and HAZMAT certified while also being a certified climber as I often have to hang off the side of skyscrapers and bridges.

Did you pull this from "The Onion" or Saturday Night Live?

Amazon apologizes for denying that its drivers pee in bottles

Retailer has long dismissed reports of workers struggling to take bathroom breaks. Here's why the issue won't die.

www.cbsnews.com

just google it and find whatever source you want. Your Amazon packages are covered in piss. if you're okay with that, fine. I'm not.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

These union articles are a hoot. No one is right or wrong here, this is the art of the deal happening in real time before your eyes.

The suits bet the workers don't have the will or reserves to sit out, the workers bet the suits will start sweating when the stock does, it's a beautiful thing to see.

Just some natural law I'm action, wish we saw it more often.

Hell Thomas Jefferson felt Americans should revolt against the powers that be regularly just so everyone has to stay on their toes. Fighting the man is in the bones...

 

[PanGrns]

We don't live kings today, we just work like slaves.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
One of capitalism's most durable myths is that it has reduced human toil

https://groups.csail.mit.edu/mac/users/rauch/worktime/hours_workweek.html

 

[Endymio]

If you were familiar with the teamsters then you'd know that they haven't had any power for nearly 50 years.

That hasn't stopped them from being a group of thugs:

2007: "At a public protest, Don Adams and his sister, Teri Adams, were brutally beaten by a group of Teamsters. . . .Five members of Teamster Local 115 eventually pleaded guilty to criminal assault, conspiracy and other charges...."

2011: "John King was reportedly shot by a union member spraying the word "scab" on the side of his car...Ohio Builder's Association President Ryan Martin condemned the escalation, "We've had slashing of tires and some job site disruption. Rocks through windows, that's not uncommon, but I've never dealt with a member shot..."

2023: "...there have been some 4,400 incidents of union violence in the last 20 years. The Teamsters are the leading perpetrators, with 454 incidents..."

Legacy of Big Labor Violence: A Growing Problem - National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation

As previously reported on the Freedom@Work blog, union militants are certainly making headlines of late using violent tactics and vandalism to prove their point. Stunningly, union thugs in Michigan may have taken this to the next level last week when John King, owner of King Electrical...

www.nrtw.org

Regarding the so-called "union" at the one Amazon Staten Island.
2023: "a group of [Amazon union] workers has filed a lawsuit to stop anti-democratic activities by union management. The lawsuit states that the union president and his team have unilaterally changed the union’s constitution to allow themselves to stay in power, stacked the leadership team with their allies and threatened reprisals against dissenters...."

Actually, I do. It's called "stop work authority".

Stop work authority does not extend to blocking access by non-striking workers. It does not include threatening or physically assaulting non-striking workers.

 

[yRaz]

That hasn't stopped them from being a group of thugs:

2007: "At a public protest, Don Adams and his sister, Teri Adams, were brutally beaten by a group of Teamsters. . . .Five members of Teamster Local 115 eventually pleaded guilty to criminal assault, conspiracy and other charges...."

2011: "John King was reportedly shot by a union member spraying the word "scab" on the side of his car...Ohio Builder's Association President Ryan Martin condemned the escalation, "We've had slashing of tires and some job site disruption. Rocks through windows, that's not uncommon, but I've never dealt with a member shot..."

2023: "...there have been some 4,400 incidents of union violence in the last 20 years. The Teamsters are the leading perpetrators, with 454 incidents..."

Legacy of Big Labor Violence: A Growing Problem - National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation

As previously reported on the Freedom@Work blog, union militants are certainly making headlines of late using violent tactics and vandalism to prove their point. Stunningly, union thugs in Michigan may have taken this to the next level last week when John King, owner of King Electrical...

www.nrtw.org

Regarding the so-called "union" at the one Amazon Staten Island.
2023: "a group of [Amazon union] workers has filed a lawsuit to stop anti-democratic activities by union management. The lawsuit states that the union president and his team have unilaterally changed the union’s constitution to allow themselves to stay in power, stacked the leadership team with their allies and threatened reprisals against dissenters...."



Stop work authority does not extend to blocking access by non-striking workers. It does not include threatening or physically assaulting non-striking workers.

Stop work authority is The right to shut down a job site due to safety concerns. From what I've heard about what goes on on these warehouses, they need to be shut down specifically for this reason.

But let's go back to the teamsters since the Amazon propaganda won't stop. To my knowledge, the teamsters have nothing to do with unions supporting the workers in the Amazon facility.

If you want to talk about how bad the teamsters are, you'll get no argument from me. The fact of the matter is that many unions are involved and Amazon's constant talk of the teamsters is meant to divert attention making them look like the victim.

Amazon IS NOT the victim here.

 

[Endymio]

To my knowledge, the teamsters have nothing to do with unions supporting the workers in the Amazon facility.

Was that a joke?

Dec 19, 2024: (AP) "Teamsters announce strike against Amazon"

June 10, 2024 (Bloomberg): "The labor union at a Staten Island Amazon warehouse is moving to affiliate with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters..."

Stop work authority is The right to shut down a job site due to safety concerns.

Stop spreading disinformation. It's the right for a worker to themselves to refuse to work, not to prevent others from working or even entering a job site. Furthermore, so-called "Stop work authority" is not federal law. It's an OSHA regulation that can be changed at will.

Amazon IS NOT the victim here.

Of course they are. It's not 1920 any longer. Gangs of union thugs threatening workers who refuse to strike has no place in modern society.

 

[yRaz]

Was that a joke?

Dec 19, 2024: (AP) "Teamsters announce strike against Amazon"

June 10, 2024 (Bloomberg): "The labor union at a Staten Island Amazon warehouse is moving to affiliate with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters..."


Stop spreading disinformation. It's the right for a worker to themselves to refuse to work, not to prevent others from working or even entering a job site. Furthermore, so-called "Stop work authority" is not federal law. It's an OSHA regulation that can be changed at will.


Of course they are. It's not 1920 any longer. Gangs of union thugs threatening workers who refuse to strike has no place in modern society.

Let me correct myself, the Amazon facility in Pittsburgh, the one that my union is involved with. There is more than one.

Further, you know nothing about stop work authority or OSHA regulations

 

[Endymio]

Let me correct myself, the Amazon facility in Pittsburgh

There is no union at Amazon Pittsburgh. The Amazon strike in Pittsburgh was organized by the Teamsters.

Further, you know nothing about stop work authority or OSHA regulations

Oops again! From the OSHA website:

Your right to refuse to do a task is protected if all of the following conditions are met:

• - You refused to work in "good faith." This means that you must genuinely believe that an imminent danger exists; and
• - A reasonable person would agree that there is a real danger of death or serious injury; and
• - There isn't enough time, due to the urgency of the hazard, to get it corrected through regular enforcement channels, such as requesting an OSHA inspection.

https://www.osha.gov/workers/right-to-refuse

It's not federal law. And it does NOT give you the right the shut down an employer's business and threaten non-striking workers attempting to access a job site.

 

[yRaz]

There is no union at Amazon Pittsburgh. The Amazon strike in Pittsburgh was organized by the Teamsters.


Oops again! From the OSHA website:

Your right to refuse to do a task is protected if all of the following conditions are met:

• - You refused to work in "good faith." This means that you must genuinely believe that an imminent danger exists; and
• - A reasonable person would agree that there is a real danger of death or serious injury; and
• - There isn't enough time, due to the urgency of the hazard, to get it corrected through regular enforcement channels, such as requesting an OSHA inspection.

https://www.osha.gov/workers/right-to-refuse

It's not federal law. And it does NOT give you the right the shut down an employer's business and threaten non-striking workers attempting to access a job site.

I have exercised stop work before, I'm well versed in it and I've been renewing my OSHA certs every 3 years for the last 18 years. You don't know what you're talking about.

And do you know why you haven't heard about the union in Amazon Pittsburgh? It's because they have been fighting for over a year to be recognized by Amazon. This isn't an issue in just one facility, there are SEVERAL FACILITIES trying to unionize and have been fighting for over a year to be recognized.