Teamsters Union Leads Picket Line Outside Amazon Warehouse in Baltimore

On Wednesday, Nov. 8, members of the Teamsters union organized a picket line march outside of Amazon's BWI5 warehouse in Baltimore. The demonstration was an extension of the ongoing Unfair Labor Practice strike by unionized Amazon drivers and dispatchers at the DAX8 delivery station in Palmdale, CA. The picket line drew dozens of other union workers and members of the Baltimore community.

Amazon Refuses to Recognize Union Contract

In April, 84 workers in Palmdale organized with the Teamsters, becoming the first union of Amazon drivers in the country. As members of Local 396, they negotiated a contract with Amazon's Delivery Service Partner, Battle-Tested Strategies (BTS). However, Amazon has failed to recognize and honor the union contract, despite having control over BTS and the workers' terms and conditions of employment. The company has been accused of engaging in unfair labor practices in violation of federal labor law, including terminating the entire unit of newly organized workers.

Picketing Across the Country

The Amazon drivers and dispatchers began their unfair labor practice strike on June 24. Since then, they have picketed over 20 Amazon warehouses nationwide, including locations in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Michigan, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey.

Voices from the Picket Line

TRNN Editor-in-Chief Maximillian Alvarez spoke to several individuals at the Amazon picket on Nov. 8:

• Deion Anthony Steppes: Striking Amazon driver from Palmdale, CA, and a member of Teamsters Local 396
• Cristina Duncan Evans: Baltimore City educator and member of the Baltimore Teachers Union
• Taylor Boren: Art teacher for Baltimore Public Schools and a member of the Teachers Association of Baltimore County
• Mike McGuire: Plumber and community member in Baltimore

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By: Maximillian Alvarez
Title: Teamsters Union Leads Picket Line Outside Amazon Warehouse in Baltimore
Sourced From: therealnews.com/the-teamsters-picket-amazon-in-baltimore-to-demand-company-rehire-fired-unionized-drivers-in-california
Published Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2023 18:28:30 +0000