PDCK6 Workers Are First-Ever Amazon
Warehouse Workers to Demand Recognition Outside of NLRB Election
Process
SAN
FRANCISCO, Oct. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amazon
Teamsters at the company's DCK6 warehouse in San Francisco were joined by San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Board
Supervisor Shamann Walton at a rally and press conference yesterday
to demand Amazon recognize the workers' newly formed union. At the
event, the DCK6 workers held signs that read "Support Amazon
Teamsters" and "People Over Packages." Video from yesterday's press
conference and rally can be found here.
"California Teamsters know what it means to go up against some
of the country's biggest tech giants, stand our ground, and win–and
it's no different for Amazon workers at DCK6," said Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region
International Vice President and President of Teamsters Joint
Council 7. "The truth is that this is a losing battle for Amazon.
Despite the millions of dollars Amazon is funneling into union
busting, when thousands of workers start coming together across all
corners of the country to demand a voice and a fair paycheck,
Goliath doesn't stand a chance."
Yesterday's action comes just one day after DCK6 workers formed
a union with the Teamsters and marched on Amazon management to
demand union recognition. The DCK6 workers represent the first-ever
group of Amazon warehouse workers to demand union recognition
outside of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election
process.
"I'm proud to stand in San
Francisco with this group of newly organized Amazon
Teamsters who want nothing more than to be treated with fairness
and respect," said Breed. "These workers do backbreaking work yet
are struggling to get by while Amazon executives take home
millions. The good news is that they now have the full weight of
the Teamsters behind them, and we know they have the tenacity
needed to take on Amazon. It's time they are given what they are
owed."
Amazon workers at DCK6 have been organizing with the Teamsters
since last year and are fighting for better pay, safe working
conditions, and a voice on the job. Many work part time and are
denied basic benefits.
"Forming a union is no easy task, especially in the face of a
company as greedy and anti-worker as Amazon, but we've organized
successfully with the Teamsters and built incredible worker power
at DCK6. It's time Amazon recognizes that," said Josh Black, an Amazon warehouse worker at
DCK6.
"All of us at DCK6 are grateful for the support of Mayor London
Breed and Board Supervisor Shamann Walton, along with all of the
elected leaders, labor allies, family, and friends who have
supported our journey in forming a union. We're proud to be a part
of this nationwide organizing drive and to hold Amazon to account
with our Teamsters siblings."
Yesterday's announcement builds on the historic union momentum
by Amazon workers across the country who are organizing in droves
to improve their lives. Just last week, hundreds of Amazon drivers
at the company's DBK4 facility in Queens, N.Y., formed a
union with the Teamsters. Over the summer, Amazon workers at
KCVG, the company's largest air hub in Kentucky, and KSBD, the company's largest air
facility on the West Coast, walked off the job over
Amazon's unfair labor practices. In June, Amazon Labor Union
members voted to affiliate with the Teamsters by a near
unanimous 98.3 percent in favor.
By joining together, Amazon workers nationwide are forcing
critical changes at the e-commerce giant. In response to growing
pressure by Amazon workers organizing with the Teamsters, the
company recently announced raises for Amazon warehouse workers
and Amazon drivers.
As DCK6 workers make historic inroads for Amazon warehouse
workers, Amazon drivers continue to build nationwide momentum and
pave the way for broader organizing wins. Amazon has long tried to
avoid responsibility for its drivers by setting up Delivery Service
Partners (DSPs) as their official employer. Just this week, Amazon
drivers in Palmdale, Calif.
secured a monumental victory when NLRB Region 31 issued
a formal complaint against Amazon, reaffirming that
the company is a joint employer of its drivers and has a legal
duty to recognize and bargain with the Teamsters.
This joint employer determination sets a major precedent and is
applicable to Amazon drivers who work under similar conditions
nationwide. Now Amazon will have to recognize and bargain with the
Teamsters at any Amazon DSP in the country where a majority of the
workers choose the Teamsters as their bargaining representative.
Meanwhile, Amazon Teamsters from Palmdale and Skokie, Ill., are
currently on strike and extending their picket lines to
facilities across the country.
"Despite Amazon pulling every anti-union tactic out of its back
pocket to try and slow our organizing momentum, the reality is that
our union drive is only speeding up. Amazon is running out of
options," said Jocelyn Vargas, an
Amazon warehouse worker at DCK6. "For too long, we've put up with
rampant disrespect on the job, dangerous working conditions, and
unlivable wages, all while we help push out tens of thousands of
packages to Amazon customers every single day. We formed a union
because the system is broken, and we need a voice on the job to fix
it."
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto
Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow
us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at
Facebook.com/teamsters.
Contact:
Kara Deniz, (202)
497-6610
kdeniz@teamster.org
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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters