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UNITED STATES — Over a hundred workers of Amazon workers on Friday embarked on a historic strike over unfair practices across the US, including in New York, California, Illinois, and Georgia.
The strike which is organized by the Teamsters, aimed to mount pressure on the Global brand, Amazon, to pay attention to the union as well as its demands.
The strike began at 6 a.m. at the DBK4 delivery station in Maspeth, New York, and across the NYC metro area.
Reacting to the strike action, New York Police Department responded with arrests and the detention of two individuals, including a Teamsters organiser and a striking worker.
Amazon Teamster workers speak
As the strike intensifies, workers are demanding a better pay, benefits and quality work conditions.
Teamsters Local 804 President, Vincent Perrone, who expressed dismay over the poor condition and treatment of workers, said, "Amazon drivers and warehouse workers have to pay for their own medical, have no pensions, and make half the hourly wage of UPS employees.
"The strike is seen as a crucial moment in the fight for workers' rights in the logistics industry. We have to change that, and we are going to change it right now," he added.
Expressing the need for the strike action, another worker who did not want to be mentioned said, "I have worked for Amazon for five years, delivering packages to customers all over New York City. I take pride in my work, but I've come to realize that Amazon doesn't take care of its workers the way it should.
"That's why I am on strike today, along with hundreds of my fellow Amazon workers. We're fighting for better pay, benefits, and working conditions. We want Amazon to recognize our union and bargain with us in good faith.
"As I stand outside the DBK4 delivery station, I'm filled with a sense of solidarity and determination. We're not just fighting for ourselves; we're fighting for all workers who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.”
Vincent Perrone, the President of Teamsters Local 804, continued that, "We're not going to back down; we're going to keep fighting until Amazon recognizes our union and gives us the respect we deserve."
For another worker, who pleaded anonymity, said, I'm proud to be part of this movement. We're not just Amazon workers; we're the backbone of this company. And we deserve better. As the day goes on, I'm heartened to see the support from our community. Passersby are honking their horns and cheering us on. We're not alone in this fight.
"We'll keep striking until Amazon listens to our demands. We won't back down. We're fighting for our rights, and we won't stop until we win."
David Colon, Amazon driver at DBK4, New York said, "What is right is right and what is wrong is wrong. I am an Amazon Teamsters because I want to provide my kids with a future that is different from Amazon's vision of low wage and high turnover."
Amazon warehouse worker at KSBD, California, Maggie Perez, who shared the same sentiment, bemoaned the state of workers treatment at the Amazon.
She said, "We are tired of being brushed off. We will no longer be silenced. We constantly raised concern about our safety and working conditions but we get no result from Amazon managers who usually say they understand."
Efforts to get an official statement from the Amazon platform seem abortive as their website is yet to be updated with an official statement from the the company’s management.
