NLRB says Amazon has to recognize, bargain with Teamsters union

Amazon delivery drivers represented by Teamsters Local 396 in Palmdale, California, won a groundbreaking decision that sets the stage for Amazon delivery drivers across the country to organize with the Teamsters, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said in a statement. After more than a year-long investigation, National Labor Relations Board Region 31 found that Amazon is a joint employer of its Delivery Service Partner drivers, and therefore has a legal duty to recognize and bargain with the Teamsters Union. The NLRB Region in Los Angeles also found that Amazon engaged in a long list of egregious unfair labor practices at its Palmdale facility, including unlawfully refusing to recognize the workers’ decision to unionize with the Teamsters; failing and refusing to bargain with the Teamsters over conditions of employment and the effects of its decision to terminate its DSP’s contract; threatening employees with job loss; holding unlawful captive audience meetings; intimidating employees with security guards; and other illegal retaliation against the group of newly unionized workers. The NLRB will soon issue a complaint against Amazon and prosecute the corporate giant at a trial before an NLRB judge for its serious and callous violations of workers’ rights. The Teamsters are confident the NLRB’s regional determination for the Palmdale workers will extend to Amazon DSP drivers who unionize nationwide. There are nearly 280,000 DSP drivers across the country.