Teamsters Win Groundbreaking Joint Employer Decision Against Amazon

https://teamster.org/2024/08/teamsters-win-groundbreaking-joint-employer-decision-against-amazon/

Drivers Inspire Growing Movement of Amazon Workers Organizing with Teamsters

Press Contact: Kara Deniz Phone: (202) 497-6610 Email: kdeniz@teamster.org

(PALMDALE, Calif.) – Amazon delivery drivers represented by Teamsters Local 396 in Palmdale, Calif., won a groundbreaking decision that sets the stage for Amazon delivery drivers across the country to organize with the Teamsters. After more than a year-long investigation, National Labor Relations Board Region 31 (NLRB) found that Amazon is a joint employer of its Delivery Service Partner (DSP) drivers, and therefore has a legal duty to recognize and bargain with the Teamsters Union.

The NLRB Region in Los Angeles also found that Amazon engaged in a long list of egregious unfair labor practices at its Palmdale facility, including unlawfully refusing to recognize the workers’ decision to unionize with the Teamsters; failing and refusing to bargain with the Teamsters over conditions of employment and the effects of its decision to terminate its DSP’s contract; threatening employees with job loss; holding unlawful captive audience meetings; intimidating employees with security guards; and other illegal retaliation against the group of newly unionized workers.

The NLRB will soon issue a complaint against Amazon and prosecute the corporate giant at a trial before an NLRB judge for its serious and callous violations of workers’ rights. The Teamsters are confident the NLRB’s regional determination for the Palmdale workers will extend to Amazon DSP drivers who unionize nationwide. There are nearly 280,000 DSP drivers across the country.

“Amazon drivers have taken their future into their own hands and won a monumental determination that makes clear Amazon has a legal obligation to bargain with its drivers over their working conditions,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “This strike has paved the way for every other Amazon worker in the country to demand what they deserve and to get Amazon to the bargaining table.”

FULL story at link above.