Teamsters union calls for Amazon to set bargaining dates after Thanksgiving strike

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters urged Amazon to agree to set bargaining dates for a union contract by Dec. 15. 

“The Teamsters are done asking nicely for Amazon to stop breaking the law. Amazon must commit to come to the table and bargain a Teamsters contract with its workers — or face the consequences of its inaction,” Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien wrote in a statement on the social media platform X. 

“Thousands of Amazon workers around the country have courageously united to take on one of the world’s most abusive employers. Amazon has a legal obligation to recognize the Teamsters and to start negotiating,” he continued.

Amazon workers decided to strike through Cyber Monday citing poor working conditions and low pay as reasoning. The strike, called “Make Amazon Pay,” was organized by UNI Global Union and Progressive International.

The e-commerce company said operations have not been impacted by the protests but did say their employees and partners were inconvenienced by the strike.

“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,'"Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards told The Hill.

"They don’t, and this is another attempt to push a false narrative about the independent small businesses who deliver on our behalf," she added referencing complaints from the National Labor Board.

Amazon received pushback from Teamsters for refusing to negotiate with delivery drivers employed by a contractor.

"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," Hards said.

The Teamsters Amazon National Negotiating Committee is finalizing its proposal now for the first Teamsters contract with the company, according to O'Brien.  The national contract proposal is being developed by rank-and-file Amazon Teamsters drivers and warehouse workers from all unionized locations according to the organization’s post. 

Strikers are encouraging more workers to join the picket line for change.

“This is our moment,” said Luc Rene, an Amazon Teamster at DBK4 in Queens, according to the union. 

“More Amazon workers are joining the movement every single day. If you work at Amazon — as a driver, warehouse worker or in any other capacity — we urge you to get involved in this fight for dignified wages and better careers," they said. "Please reach out to the Teamsters today. The real battle is about to kick off.”

Updated at 1:02 p.m. EST