Teamsters Launch Largest Strike Against Amazon in U.S. History
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The Teamsters union has launched the largest strike against Amazon in U.S. history, which began at 6 a.m. EST on December 19, 2024. This massive labor action involves thousands of workers across multiple states, including California, New York, Illinois, and Georgia, with significant activity in New York City, particularly in Maspeth, Queens, and Staten Island.The strike has seen workers and supporters picketing at various Amazon facilities, demanding better benefits, higher wages, and job security. Despite Amazon's claims that the strike would not impact operations, there have been reports of disruptions and arrests related to the protests. For instance, in Maspeth, Queens, nearly 200 protesters, including Amazon workers and their supporters, were involved in the picket lines, leading to arrests for disorderly conduct.The Teamsters union argues that Amazon has repeatedly refused to follow labor laws and negotiate in good faith with its workers. This refusal has been a key factor driving the strike. The union has been vocal about its demands for fair treatment and recognition of unionized workers, highlighting the disparity in pay and benefits between Amazon employees and those of other companies like UPS.As of now, the strike continues to gain momentum, with the union stating that it will not be stopped until Amazon meets its demands. The National Labor Relations Board has documented numerous unfair labor practice charges against Amazon and the Teamsters, highlighting the ongoing legal and labor tensions.