Amazon delivery drivers and Starbucks baristas have gone on strike in several U.S. cities in an effort to push for recognition as unionized employees and to negotiate their first labor contracts. These strikes come after recent successful standoffs between labor unions and major corporations in various industries. While some unions have secured significant concessions from employers this year, workers at Amazon and Starbucks are still fighting for their first contracts. Amazon has been unwilling to acknowledge the organizing efforts of its drivers and warehouse workers, despite some of them voting to unionize. On the other hand, Starbucks had agreed to negotiate a contract with its employees by the end of the year.
The strikes at Amazon and Starbucks are happening at a critical time, as the holiday season is a period of high economic activity and can provide leverage for unions during negotiations. Both Amazon and Starbucks saw a surge in organizing efforts following the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the struggles of frontline workers and economic inequality. While workers at other companies like Apple, Trader Joe’s, and REI have successfully organized, turning these wins into contracts can be challenging. Workers at Amazon and Starbucks, which were not unionized prior to the pandemic, are still in the process of securing agreements with their respective companies.
The Teamsters union is leading strikes at Amazon delivery stations in several cities, demanding higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions for employees. Amazon has been accused of unlawfully failing to bargain with the Teamsters on a contract for drivers at a California delivery hub. The NLRB, which has taken a more pro-labor stance under President Joe Biden, has filed complaints against Amazon for its treatment of workers. Meanwhile, contract negotiations have been ongoing at Starbucks, where Workers United has organized employees at hundreds of company-owned stores. The union has criticized Starbucks for failing to honor commitments to reach a labor agreement and address unfair labor practices.
Despite the ongoing strikes, Amazon has defended its pay and benefits for warehouse and transportation employees, stating they receive a base wage of $22 per hour plus benefits. The company has also increased hourly pay for subcontracted delivery drivers. The legality of the drivers’ classification as company employees is being disputed, with the Teamsters arguing they should be recognized as such. At Starbucks, workers have walked off the job on multiple occasions in an effort to pressure the company to address their concerns and negotiate a fair contract. The strikes are expected to continue and could potentially spread to more stores across the country.
As the strikes continue at Amazon and Starbucks, labor experts are closely watching the outcome of these disputes. The timing of the strikes, just before President-elect Donald Trump is expected to appoint a Republican majority to the National Labor Relations Board, highlights the urgency for workers and unions to make progress. The involvement of prominent unions like the Teamsters and Workers United demonstrates the ongoing battle for workers’ rights in the face of corporate resistance. The outcome of these strikes could have far-reaching implications for the future of organized labor in the United States.
