CRYSTAL CITY, Virginia — Amazon employees across 20 countries, including the United States, walked off the job on Black Friday, joining a coordinated wave of protests to demand better working conditions and to criticize what they call anti-worker practices by the retail giant.
The strikes, organized under the “Make Amazon Pay” campaign led by UNI Global Union, coincide with one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. From Black Friday through Cyber Monday, Amazon’s warehouses and delivery systems face intense pressure to fulfill a surge in orders. The protests threaten to disrupt operations, potentially delaying deliveries and impacting holiday shoppers chasing deals.
In New York, Amazon Teamsters held a protest following allegations of harassment at the company’s DBK4 facility in Queens. Workers there claim a union-busting consultant, hired by Amazon, used homophobic slurs and threatened a delivery driver, Emmanuel T., who was later suspended by Amazon pending an investigation. This incident has fueled anger among employees and highlighted broader efforts to unionize Amazon’s workforce nationwide.
“This is more than just harassment,” said Emmanuel. “It’s about creating safe, fair workplaces. We need union contracts that protect all workers, especially those from vulnerable communities.”
Amazon drivers at the Queens facility joined the Teamsters union in September, but Amazon has not yet recognized the union or begun contract negotiations. The delay has prompted multiple unfair labor practice charges, with workers now demanding Emmanuel’s reinstatement and the removal of union-busting staff from the site.
The unrest at DBK4 mirrors a growing labor movement within Amazon’s U.S. operations. In recent months, workers at five facilities, including major hubs in Kentucky and California, have joined the Teamsters, with walkouts and protests becoming increasingly common. Globally, the “Make Amazon Pay” campaign is spotlighting allegations of exploitative labor practices, environmental harm, and corporate disregard for democratic principles.
For Amazon customers, the strikes raise concerns over delivery delays during the holiday shopping frenzy. Labor advocates argue that these disruptions highlight the human cost of meeting the immense demand placed on Amazon’s workforce.
As protests gain momentum worldwide, Amazon workers are calling for union recognition and significant reforms, potentially forcing the trillion-dollar corporation to reassess its labor practices during one of its most profitable seasons.
Amazon employees across 20 countries, including the United States, walked off the job on Black Friday, joining a coordinated wave of protests to demand better working conditions and to criticize what they call anti-worker practices by the retail giant.
The strikes, organized under the “Make Amazon Pay” campaign led by UNI Global Union, coincide with one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. From Black Friday through Cyber Monday, Amazon’s warehouses and delivery systems face intense pressure to fulfill a surge in orders. The protests threaten to disrupt operations, potentially delaying deliveries and impacting holiday shoppers chasing deals.
In New York, Amazon Teamsters held a protest following allegations of harassment at the company’s DBK4 facility in Queens. Workers there claim a union-busting consultant, hired by Amazon, used homophobic slurs and threatened a delivery driver, Emmanuel T., who was later suspended by Amazon pending an investigation. This incident has fueled anger among employees and highlighted broader efforts to unionize Amazon’s workforce nationwide.
“This is more than just harassment,” said Emmanuel. “It’s about creating safe, fair workplaces. We need union contracts that protect all workers, especially those from vulnerable communities.”
Amazon drivers at the Queens facility joined the Teamsters union in September, but Amazon has not yet recognized the union or begun contract negotiations. The delay has prompted multiple unfair labor practice charges, with workers now demanding Emmanuel’s reinstatement and the removal of union-busting staff from the site.
The unrest at DBK4 mirrors a growing labor movement within Amazon’s U.S. operations. In recent months, workers at five facilities, including major hubs in Kentucky and California, have joined the Teamsters, with walkouts and protests becoming increasingly common. Globally, the “Make Amazon Pay” campaign is spotlighting allegations of exploitative labor practices, environmental harm, and corporate disregard for democratic principles.
For Amazon customers, the strikes raise concerns over delivery delays during the holiday shopping frenzy. Labor advocates argue that these disruptions highlight the human cost of meeting the immense demand placed on Amazon’s workforce.
As protests gain momentum worldwide, Amazon workers are calling for union recognition and significant reforms, potentially forcing the trillion-dollar corporation to reassess its labor practices during one of its most profitable seasons.