Taking the fight to employers is what we do every day as Teamsters. Whether at the bargaining table or in the workplace, Teamsters 856 representatives and stewards hold management accountable and demand the respect members deserve. As a Local Union, and as Teamsters in our region and across the country, it is imperative that we also dedicate the time and resources necessary to organizing new members at non-union employers, particularly at big corporations such as Amazon whose business model is built on taking advantage of workers.
Amazon is the poster child for greedy corporations, making $30 billion in 2023 and nearly doubling that profit in 2024 to a whopping $59 billion. Most disturbing of all, these profits are made on the backs of workers being paid sub-standard wages, with little benefits and poor working conditions. Amazon warehouse workers and delivery drivers here in California and across the nation are saying enough is enough to Amazon’s excessive greed, and are fighting back by organizing with the Teamsters to demand a fair share of the billions of dollars they make for the company.
As Teamsters we aren’t afraid to take on even the largest corporations in the world. That willingness to fight was in full force before the Christmas holiday when Teamster Amazon workers from across the country took to the streets in an unfair labor practice strike to send a powerful message to the company that it’s time for Amazon to respect its workers and comply with the law. Amazon Teamsters know that respect comes with a strong contract and are demanding the company come to the bargaining table and negotiate with our Teamsters Amazon National Negotiating Committee.
Not surprisingly, Local 856 and Northern California Teamsters have been on the front lines of this fight with Amazon. During the pre-Christmas actions, Local 856 and NorCal Teamsters joined Amazon workers in simultaneously picketing 10 locations across the region, from the Bay Area to Sacramento, and throughout the Central Valley. These actions before Christmas were just the beginning of the fight. Amazon may have the money, but as Teamsters we have the people, and we have the fortitude to fight for as long as it takes to win.
The fight at Amazon is an example of how important organizing is to our Union, whether externally at non-union employers to help build the middle class through winning strong Teamster contracts that protect industry standards, or internally through organizing to ensure there is full participation in the Union at employers where we already have a Teamsters 856 contract.
When more of us stand together in our Union, we all get stronger as Teamsters. The more Teamsters there are, the stronger our voice, and the more power we have at the bargaining table to win strong contracts and stronger representation. To put it simply, when we stand together, we win together.