DETROIT (WXYZ) — What's billed as the largest strike against Amazon in American history began this morning at 6 a.m. EST.
The timing is strategic — just days before the holidays when people are counting on those last-minute deliveries.
We know there's likely a lot of people here in metro Detroit concerned their packages will be late. The Teamsters Union says the strike is starting at facilities in New York, Illinois, California and Georgia.
It also says local unions will put up primary picket lines at hundreds of fulfillment centers nationwide. We could potentially see those picket lines right here in Metro Detroit.
Those participating in the strike walked off the job at 6 a.m. this morning. This kind of teamsters picket is happening at eight other locations across Michigan — joining thousands nationwide. Picketers are slowly pacing back and forth where the delivery trucks are coming and going. One picketer was transported to the hospital because of spiking blood pressure.
The strike comes a week before Christmas, happening at seven locations, including New York City, Atlanta, San Francisco and just outside of Los Angeles and Chicago.
They're calling it the largest strike against the company, with 10,000 employees nationwide expected to take part. The Teamsters are saying they're expecting local fulfillment centers nationwide to picket in support.
Just before 8 a.m., one of the drivers crossing the picket line bumped into two of the picketers. One of them was transported to the hospital because of spiking blood pressure. His son talked to us after the incident.
"Driver comes through, doesn’t even slow down, just keeps moving his truck while we’re crossing the sidewalk," he said.
VIDEO: Hear more from his son in the video below
The Amazon Labor union says it gave the company until Dec. 15 to come to the bargaining table, so now they're striking at the busiest time of year for the $2 trillion corporation.
"It's important because as workers we need our voices heard," said Teamsters member Ash Brooks. "This has been a long time coming and we need to show Jeff Bezos and the entire Amazon corporation and the rest of the world that our voices matter.”
Amazon says that Teamsters only represent one percent of Amazon employees, so Amazon doesn't expect disruptions or delays for your Christmas presents still en route. The company said in a statement "The Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them, which is illegal..."
The Detroit facility is not part of the Teamsters union, instead being part of the American Postal Workers Union, joining early this year. The APWU represents 450 employees.
"They should be calling Amazon and say why don’t you treat your workers fair. We’re ordering out packages every day you’re coming to my house. Pay the workers a fair wage. I know how much money you guys are making," said Joint Council #43 President Kevin Moore. "Right now this is a non-union driver coming in here for amazon and we’re here to slow this traffic down. Any union carrier that comes here if you see a UPS come come by here, he’s not crossing this line. He won’t cross the line."
Kevin Moore says 40 percent of Amazon's packages nationwide are shipped via UPS, but Amazon says it doesn’t expect this demonstration to impact holiday shipping times. Kevin Moore here says he doesn’t see how that’s not going to happen, adding they’ll be here today and tomorrow for sure, and things don’t progress with the striking facilities, they could be out here longer.
