Amazon has it Lots of rules For delivery drivers: clipped nails, no body odor, clean ears, etc… These strict requirements govern everything from personal grooming to online activity (couriers dressed as Amazon are prohibited from posting anything obscene). The company also sets minimum wages for its drivers, delivery schedules, routes, and adherence to discipline.
It’s so micromanaging that it’s hard to believe none of these workers were actually employed by Amazon. Instead, e-tail contracts with dozens of logistics and transportation companies across the country to put together a delivery service partner program that brings packages from warehouses to people’s doors.
Through this kind of business bureaucracy, a group of Amazon drivers in Palmdale, California manage to unionize — even while transporting goods to remarkably And Strongly Anti-union tech giant. The team of 84 workers, who are technically employed by Battle-Tested Strategies, contracted by Amazon, have joined the Teamsters union. On top of that, Battle-Tested voluntarily recognized the union and negotiated a preliminary contract agreement with its employees last week, it was announced Monday. press release From the International Muslim Brotherhood.
The new union is a historic one, outlining the struggle for workers’ rights in Amazon Only warehouses And in the streets. “Amazon workers join Teamsters in demanding more from this company, including good wages, safe working conditions, and respect,” said Randy Corgan, Teamsters Amazon division manager.
Lead by Amazon is a notorious scam in many respects. High-pressure rations mean drivers often skip meals and bathrooms to meet company demands – even asylum to urinate into bottles. In-car cameras And AI systems track all drivers’ movements, including facial scratches and very slight speed fluctuations in what amounts to continuous monitoring. The company threatened to fire couriers who wanted to stop driving and take shelter in the process Active hurricane warning. But for the newly unionized Palmdale, CA group, things could soon get better.
“We just want fair salaries and safe jobs,” Rajpal Singh, one of the 84 drivers, told WaPo. “I hope other drivers will join in (because) what we deserve is not what we get.” An informal survey from 2021 found that Unions are, in fact, a common concept Among Amazon drivers, Battle-Tested may be leading a new trend.
The preliminary contract, which is set to be voted on and ratified by workers in the coming weeks, gives the Amazon group of California drivers an immediate pay increase and an increase in the schedule for future increases. It also addresses a range of worker safety concerns surrounding vehicle and temperature conditions, according to the a report From The Washington Post. Although Battle-Tested technically uses drivers, the contract would force changes on Amazon as well — if the company sticks to it.
The Teamsters news release says the group of 84 Palmdale workers are the first Amazon drivers in the country to regulate, but that’s not entirely true. Back in 2017, a group of drivers in Detroit working for Silver Star, another Amazon contract company, They also voted to unionize With Teamsters. But it didn’t last.
In response to the union vote, several organizers were fired. Ultimately, Silver Star closed the Detroit location. The workers filed a complaint about alleged retaliatory practices with the National Labor Relations Board, which was rejected for lack of supporting evidence. Silverstar had to pay about $15,000 in late payment due to the settlement. Amazon avoided any accountability, as it was not the direct employer, according to the company 2021 report from Wired. After this debacle, Amazon held meetings of its contractors on how to avoid union leadership, according to a 2019 report. BuzzFeed news report.
Gizmodo has reached out to Amazon for more information on how the company will continue Palmdale. In response, the e-commerce giant swerved. “Whether staff members are intentionally misleading or they just don’t understand our work, the narrative they are spreading is false. This group of individuals does not work for Amazon,” company spokeswoman Elaine Hardes said in an emailed statement. “Our delivery network consists of thousands of independently owned and operated small businesses that provide delivery services for our company.”
Confusingly, Amazon’s statement also included the following: “This third-party company has a track record of failing to perform and was notified of its termination for poor performance long before today’s announcement. This situation has more to do with an outside company trying to distract from its history of failing to live up to its obligations.” “. This means that Amazon does not currently have an active contract with Battle-Tested, or that any contract between the companies will soon be terminated.
In a follow-up, Hards confirmed that it was referring to Battle-Tested, but declined to provide further details and details. Gizmodo responded asking for further clarification and also communicated battle-tested strategies. In a phone call, Battle-Tested owner Jonathan Ervin told Gizmodo that Amazon’s statement was incorrect. “As far as I know, my contract is valid until October 3, 2023,” when it was due to renew. Ervin said. He denied receiving any prior notice of poor performance or contract termination from Amazon.
“He’s despicable” and a classic example of “Amazon’s revenge” “Techniques” against labor unions, Ervin added. He said his workers have delivered Amazon packages in every weather from snow to 113 degrees Fahrenheit, and they still get the job done. Today, he said, employees of Battle-Tested Strategies, who are contracted by Amazon, have been out delivering Amazon packages. “His lawyers are looking into all the information,” Irwin noted, but for now, he said the next steps are to “continue to deliver packages. That’s the job.”
Update 4/24/2023, 6:21 PM ET: This article has been updated with additional data from Amazon and Battle-Tested Strategy Owner, JohnThirty Ervin.