Teamsters president stands agency in opposition to Amazon: ‘Santa can be disgusted’ by firm’s habits

The Teamsters strike in opposition to retail big Amazon is anticipated to proceed and prolong to some days earlier than the Christmas holidays, based on its president, Sean O’Brien.

“Santa can be disgusted with Amazon’s habits over the previous a number of years. They do not respect their employees. They do not respect the individuals who make them profitable, and we’ll maintain them accountable,” O’Brien stated Thursday on “Cavuto: From coast to coast.“

“We tried to take a seat down and negotiate with Amazon, with the individuals we characterize who signed the vast majority of the playing cards. And Amazon nonetheless refused. They even petitioned the [National Labor Relations Board] to say that what we’re doing is unlawful, which isn’t unlawful,” continued the President of the Teamsters. “So we now have no different selection.”

1000’s of Amazon employees grouped underneath the Teamsters union went on strike at 6 a.m. Thursday after the corporate’s “repeated refusal to respect the regulation and negotiate.”

AMAZON WORKERS PLAN STRIKE BETWEEN BLACK FRIDAY AND CYBER MONDAY IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES, INCLUDING US

About 10,000 Amazon Teamsters across seven facilities in Skokie, Sick.; New York Metropolis; Atlanta; San Francisco; and Southern California are collaborating within the “largest strike” in opposition to the billion-dollar firm in American historical past, the union stated in a press launch. Employees from different amenities are prepared to hitch them.

Teamsters Basic President Sean O’Brien stated Thursday on “Cavuto: Coast to Coast” that “Santa can be disgusted” by Amazon’s habits. (FOXBusiness)

The strike comes after the Teamsters claimed Amazon ignored the union’s Dec. 15 deadline to barter new contracts that present larger wages, higher advantages and safer working situations.

“These persons are there three hundred and sixty five days a yr and are being taken benefit of by Amazon,” O’Brien stated. “They’re being crushed at work… They aren’t paid accordingly. They’re paid by a rip-off which is a rental contract with a 3rd occasion, of which they’re co-employers. These individuals don’t obtain an honest wage. They obtain minimal to no advantages And it is a disgrace, and it should not be allowed, and this firm is value $2 trillion.

O’Brien calls on Amazon to barter in “good religion,” noting that strikes will proceed to increase not solely in the USA, but additionally overseas, in Germany, as quickly as “at the moment or tomorrow.”

FOX Enterprise’ Madison Alworth reported from the picket line in New York that two people have been arrested for disorderly conduct.

“I contacted the mayor of New York. I contacted the lawyer normal. We have now an issue in New York. They’re the one politicians I’ve spoken to the place the police will not be permitting our members their constitutional proper to picket,” defined the union president.

“However it reveals how the influence of Amazon in New York. I imply, did they promise the police something? I do not know,” O’Brien stated. “However the actuality is we now have a constitutional proper. We ought to be allowed to do that. »

He additionally urged New York’s high Democratic leaders to indicate their faces on the picket line: “As of but, nobody has marched on that picket line within the Amazon. We have now Joe Biden nonetheless in energy. [Sen.] Chuck Schumer and [Rep.] AOC [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]it is proper of their yard. Get on the market and present these employees the way you help them. »

The primary subject the Teamsters wish to resolve has to do with worker compensation and advantages.

“I wish to be certain they deal with these workers with dignity and respect, pay the wages and advantages they deserve, and comply like some other firm in the very same business. [We’ve] set business requirements with the United Parcel Service contract and the DHL contract. And they need to adhere to these requirements and deal with their workers accordingly,” O’Brien stated.

Amazon says the Teamsters union is “deliberately [misleading] the general public” as a result of they don’t characterize Amazon workers and drivers, firm spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated in an announcement to FOX Enterprise.

Nantel additionally stated the corporate “doesn’t anticipate any influence on our operations” and that “the Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated and tried to coerce Amazon workers and third-party drivers into becoming a member of them, which is unlawful and is the topic of a number of prosecutions. pending unfair labor follow expenses in opposition to the union.

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“Amazon spent $17 million between 2022 and 2023 to fight the union. Give it some thought, in the event that they invested that cash of their employees, I imply, the cynics might say no matter they need. There’ll at all times be cynics it doesn’t matter what. On the finish of the day, we characterize employees and we characterize employees who must put up with abuse from Amazon or some other company bigwig. So we’ll proceed the combat,” O’Brien replied.

“I’ll bounce on the picket line over there too. So I am in fight gear, man.”

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FOX Enterprise’ Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.