Amazon Workers Across All Eight of DBK4's
DSP Facilities in Queens, NY
Demand Amazon Recognize Their Teamsters Union
*Watch the announcement video
here*
NEW
YORK, Sept. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amazon
drivers across all eight of the company's Delivery Service Partners
(DSPs) operating out of Amazon's DBK4 facility in Queens, N.Y., today formed a union with the
Teamsters. In a "March on the Boss" rally, hundreds of workers
announced that the majority of drivers at DBK4 have signed
authorization cards to organize with the Teamsters Union and
demanded recognition as one bargaining unit.
Today's announcement comes just one week after Amazon drivers
across three of DBK4's DSPs joined the Teamsters, showing growing
momentum at DBK4 and the historic union drive of Amazon drivers and
warehouse workers at facilities nationwide.
"Amazon drivers in Queens are
showing what it means to be a Teamster by standing up to one of the
world's biggest corporate bullies and demanding fair treatment and
a voice on the job," said Wasun Wilson, an Amazon delivery driver
at DBK4. "From New York, to Illinois, to California, the power that Amazon workers are
building is palpable and leaving Amazon with no other options but
to meet workers at the table and negotiate the pay, benefits, and
working conditions that we deserve."
For over a year, the Queens-based drivers have been organizing for
better working conditions and fair pay, including walking off the
job last December against Amazon's union-busting tactics and
unfair labor practices. The drivers have been outspoken in their
demands for consistent schedules, properly maintained trucks, and
reasonable workloads.
"Dreams don't work unless you do. So we have to work and strive
for what we want! I've been an Amazon driver for years, and it
doesn't get any easier—in fact, in the last year, it's gotten a lot
harder, with longer hours, more packages and hotter conditions,"
said Jeffrey Arias, a DBK4 driver.
"That's why I organized and why I'm proud to be a Teamster. Amazon
drivers like me are the face of Amazon. We're the workers
delivering your packages to your door. We're the faces and names
that you know. It's time Amazon stops treating us as disposable and
creates a space where we can discuss grievances in an equitable
way. We need a fair and livable wage and affordable medical
care."
Across the country, Amazon drivers are organizing in droves in a
fight for better pay, safe working conditions, and a voice on the
job, including Amazon Teamsters from Palmdale and Skokie, who are currently on strike and
extending their picket lines to facilities across the country.
Earlier this month, in response to growing pressure by Amazon
workers organizing with the Teamsters, the company announced raises
for Amazon drivers and Amazon warehouse workers.
Last month, Palmdale drivers
secured a monumental victory when National Labor Relations Board
Region 31 made a determination that Amazon is a joint employer of
its DSP drivers, and therefore has a legal duty to recognize and
bargain with the Teamsters. This determination sets a major
precedent and is expected to extend to Amazon drivers who unionize
nationwide. The Queens-based
drivers are the first to publicly announce their organizing at a
new facility and demand recognition following the historic NLRB
decision. As momentum builds, all eyes are turning to the nearly
280,000 Amazon drivers across the country.
"Amazon's success in e-commerce depends on the tireless efforts
of us delivery drivers, who ensure that packages reach doorsteps
swiftly and efficiently. Despite being the backbone of this
trillion-dollar operation, we face low wages, grueling schedules,
and limited benefits. We deserve better pay, fair working
conditions, and a voice in the decisions that affect our
livelihoods. As Teamsters, we are building worker power to win the
respect, rights, and protections we rightfully deserve," said
Lamont Hopewell, a DBK4
driver.
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