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Amazon workers nationwide are walking the picket line this morning. While there is no action at the Amazon warehouse on Bruckner Boulevard in the Bronx, over the river in Queens workers have walked off the job and are demanding change. The Teamsters Union is launching what they are calling the largest nationwide strike against Amazon. Demonstrations are popping up at seven warehouses in California, Georgia, Illinois and in New York City.
Organizers say they are demanding higher pay, better benefits and better working conditions. Today’s strike comes after the Teamsters say Amazon ignored the Dec. 15 deadline for contract negotiations. However, Amazon says the Teamsters are misleading the public, claiming they represent Amazon employees and drivers when they do not. In a statement, Amazon says in part “The truth is that the Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them, which is illegal and is the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges against the union.” Amazon tells News 12 they do not expect today’s strike to impact their operations. ”