NLRB rules Amazon as joint employer of delivery drivers

A regional director for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has determined that Amazon should be classified as a "joint employer" of certain contracted delivery drivers at its Atlanta warehouse, known as DAT6. This ruling stems from two unfair labor practice charges filed in January regarding Amazon's treatment of drivers employed by MJB Logistics. The NLRB's findings suggest that Amazon's control over drivers' schedules, performance expectations, and the branding of uniforms and vehicles indicates a significant level of involvement in their employment conditions. The Teamsters union and other labor groups have long argued against Amazon's attempts to distance itself from its contracted drivers, emphasizing the company's influence over their work environment. This determination could lead to Amazon being compelled to negotiate with drivers who wish to unionize, a move that aligns with the union's ongoing efforts to organize Amazon workers across the country. In addition to the joint employer ruling, the NLRB found merit in allegations that Amazon threatened drivers with site closure if they pursued unionization, made coercive statements, and created an atmosphere of surveillance at the Atlanta facility. These findings echo a similar ruling made last month regarding Amazon's subcontracted drivers in Palmdale, California. The NLRB's decisions are preliminary and will require further legal proceedings if the parties do not reach a settlement. The implications of these rulings could significantly impact Amazon's labor relations and the ongoing unionization efforts within the company, particularly as the Teamsters have intensified their organizing campaigns in recent years.