Teamsters in Orlando protest Amazon in support of striking workers

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Published  December 19, 2024 11:19pm EST
FOX 35 Orlando
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Teamsters protest Amazon in support of striking workers

With just days left until Christmas and Hanukkah, nearly 10,000 Amazon workers are on strike. The union leading the fight against Amazon, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, said people may have to wait for last-minute gifts ordered through Amazon.

The Brief

    • Nearly 10,000 Amazon workers are on strike just days before Christmas and Hanukkah, demanding higher pay, safer working conditions, and better benefits. 
    • The strike, organized by the Teamsters union, has impacted seven facilities in four states, raising concerns about potential holiday delivery delays. 
    • Amazon denies any disruption and accuses the union of illegal tactics, while the Teamsters warn the strike could expand.

ORLANDO, Fla. - With just days left until Christmas and Hanukkah, nearly 10,000 Amazon workers are on strike.

The union leading the fight against Amazon, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, said people may have to wait for last-minute gifts ordered through Amazon.

"I ordered some things, and I'm really hoping that they get here on time because they're for my teenage girls because they would be really upset if they didn't arrive," one woman said.

Nearly 75% of American online shoppers have an Amazon subscription.

"I could be home and order whatever I want, and it could be on my doorstep in 3 or 4 days," one man said.

"I love their deliveries," another woman said. "I get everything right away. Never a problem."

The Teamsters union is fighting for higher pay, safer working conditions and better benefits. The union said Amazon missed its deadline on Sunday. The strike began at 6 a.m. Thursday at seven facilities in four states.

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"If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed," Teamsters president Sean O'Brien said in a statement.

O'Brien appeared on FOX Business Network on Thursday.

"Santa would be disgusted at the behavior that Amazon has been engaging in over the last several years," O'Brien said.

Gary Kaltbaum, a FOX News business contributor, said the timing is meant to send a message.

"This is the worst possible time to have a stoppage of work by even one person," Kaltbaum said. "It's to make an impact. It's to be in the news."

Striking workers have the support of Teamsters members in Orlando. About one dozen Teamsters picketed the Amazon facility on Boggy Creek Road near Lake Nona on Thursday. They're not Amazon employees but were protesting the company in solidarity.

FOX 35 News watched as some drivers, even ones driving Amazon trucks, honked as encouragement.

Amazon said your holiday packages won't face any delays.

"It's not just the consumer," Kaltbaum said. "It's the businesses also. Sometimes products have a timeliness to them, so if people don't get them in that time, they get returned and the business suffers also."

Amazon responded to the strike saying, "The Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them, which is illegal."

The Teamsters union said the strike may grow. It said members are ready to join at a moment's notice.

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