Workers at Amazon delivery stations and Starbucks stores across several U.S. cities are on strike. They want to be recognized as union workers and are pushing for their first labor contracts. These strikes began on Thursday and Friday, echoing the recent struggles of other worker groups who have gained better working conditions this year.
Big unions have won important agreements after strikes by workers in different industries, but Amazon and Starbucks employees are still trying to get their companies to agree on contracts. Amazon does not recognize the efforts of its workers to unionize, even though the Teamsters Union claims to represent them. Starbucks has resisted unionization but agreed to discuss contracts by the end of the year.
Strikes often happen during busy times, like the holidays, to gain more leverage. After the COVID-19 pandemic, many workers, like baristas and Amazon drivers, started organizing for better pay and conditions due to increased attention on their challenges.
John Logan, an expert in labor studies, said workers might feel a sense of urgency to make progress before President Trump’s expected appointment of a Republican majority to the National Labor Relations Board, which may be unfriendly to unions.
At Amazon, the Teamsters are striking at several locations due to the company’s refusal to negotiate. They argue for better pay and safer work conditions. Many Amazon workers feel financially insecure even though the company is worth $2.3 trillion.
Meanwhile, Starbucks is already in negotiations, but workers say the company did not keep its promise to reach an agreement this year. Striking workers report that Starbucks is proposing low wage increases. The strikes, which began in places like Los Angeles and Seattle, are expected to spread to dozens more stores soon.
Starbucks claims to pay competitive wages, but workers disagree, and they are rallying to make their voices heard. Experts believe there might be even more union activities before Trump takes office, giving the public a chance to see how he commits to supporting the working class.
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