Workers and supporters gathered today at Amazon’s DBK4 facility in Queens, New York, to protest the company’s recent termination of over one hundred unionized drivers. The rally, organized by the Teamsters, aims to demand the immediate reinstatement of the affected employees, who were dismissed under circumstances the union claims were illegal.
Randy Korgan, Director of the Teamsters Amazon Division, voiced strong criticism of Amazon’s corporate practices, stating, “When normal people break the law, they go to jail. When Amazon executives do it, they get rewarded. Amazon’s crime spree has gone on long enough.” Korgan emphasized the union’s readiness to take action if the company does not restore the terminated workers.
The controversy centers around Amazon’s use of its “Delivery Service Partner” (DSP) program, which the company claims absolves it of direct responsibility for its drivers. Despite drivers wearing Amazon uniforms and delivering its packages, Amazon maintains they are not its employees. However, a ruling by the National Labor Relations Board last year determined that Amazon is a joint employer of its DSP drivers and is legally obligated to negotiate with them if they choose to unionize.
Latrice Shadae Johnson, a driver at the DBK4 facility and member of Teamsters Local 804, highlighted the vital role that workers play in Amazon’s success. “Amazon would be nothing without its workers. We’re the ones who power their profits. We’re the ones who put our health and safety on the line every single day,” she stated. Johnson stressed that the union’s solidarity is growing stronger, adding, “If Amazon thinks we’re going to take this lying down, they have another thing coming.”
The unionization efforts at DBK4 began in September 2024, sparking a broader movement that has led to the organization of thousands of additional Amazon workers at six other facilities across the country. Currently, the Teamsters represent nearly 10,000 Amazon workers nationwide, reflecting a significant shift in labor dynamics within the company.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, founded in 1903, represents over 1.3 million workers in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The recent rally underscores a broader trend of workers advocating for their rights and demanding accountability from large corporations.
For more information, visit Teamster.org or follow the Teamsters on social media platforms.
