A strike by Amazon warehouse workers, launched on December 19, has raised concerns about potential delivery delays just days before Christmas. Thousands of workers across four US states have joined the walkout after Amazon failed to negotiate new contracts for higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions.

The strike, initiated by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), involves workers at seven facilities in Skokie, Illinois; New York City; Atlanta; San Francisco; and Southern California. Teamsters, which represents around 7,000 workers, claims it speaks for nearly 10,000 employees across 10 facilities. However, Amazon does not recognize the union and argues that the number of workers involved is minimal, representing less than 1% of its total US workforce.

Why the Strike Was Called

The strike came after Amazon ignored the Teamsters' December 15 deadline to negotiate. Workers have long criticized Amazon for poor working conditions, with delivery executives and warehouse staff stating that the demands of their jobs are overwhelming. Teamsters President Sean O'Brien condemned Amazon for failing to address workers' concerns, saying, “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon's insatiable greed. We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members. They ignored it.”

Will the Strike Affect Deliveries?

Despite the ongoing strike, Amazon maintains that its holiday delivery schedule will not be disrupted. The company has rejected claims by the Teamsters, calling them “misleading.” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel insisted that the union does not represent as many workers as it claims and accused Teamsters of attempting to mislead the public.

Nantel also stated that Teamsters had been using threats and intimidation tactics to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers into joining the strike, which Amazon contends is illegal and currently under investigation.

Amazon is confident that its extensive logistics network, including a large number of non-unionized workers and third-party contractors, will allow it to meet delivery demands during the peak holiday period. However, if the strike expands or additional workers join the action, delays could occur as the company scrambles to manage its operations during the busy season.

With Christmas just days away, the situation remains tense, and both sides continue to negotiate. The outcome of the strike will determine whether Amazon’s delivery service can maintain its promise of on-time holiday shipments.