Queens Amazon drivers push for union recognition and contract talks

Hundreds of Amazon drivers in Queens, New York, recently organized a march to demand union recognition and contract negotiations with the company. This action was part of a broader movement among Amazon workers, who have been increasingly vocal about their rights and working conditions. Latrice Shadae Johnson, a driver earning $20 an hour, expressed the empowerment felt during the march, highlighting the unity among workers. The drivers are part of Amazon's delivery service partners program, which complicates their employment status as they are technically employed by contractors while Amazon maintains control over operations. The drivers' efforts come in the wake of previous successful unionization attempts at other Amazon facilities, including a notable victory in Palmdale, California, where a union was recognized. Allegations of Amazon's coercive tactics against unionization efforts have been reported, including surveillance and threats to close facilities if workers unionized. The Teamsters union has been gaining momentum, representing the only unionized Amazon warehouse in the U.S. after workers at JFK8 voted to affiliate with them. As the Teamsters continue to organize, Amazon has responded by increasing wages for drivers, indicating a shift in the company's approach to labor relations. The drivers in Queens are determined to continue their fight for better working conditions and fair treatment, emphasizing the importance of solidarity among workers. Their actions reflect a growing trend of labor activism within Amazon's workforce across the country. The urgency of their campaign is underscored by a fundraising goal of $46,000 within eight days, demonstrating the financial and organizational challenges they face. The collective efforts of these drivers signify a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for workers' rights within the logistics giant, as they seek to establish a more equitable workplace through union representation.