According to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), workers at a delivery company that serviced Amazon are officially considered employees of the e-commerce giant. This ruling came after the NLRB rejected Amazon’s assertion that it was not liable for the treatment of the subcontractor’s staff.
The decision, made by a regional director of the NLRB in Los Angeles, upheld claims from delivery workers that Amazon unlawfully ignored their wishes to unionize and neglected to engage in discussions with the union regarding workplace concerns. The NLRB also found evidence that Amazon had intimidated employees, enforced mandatory anti-union meetings, and withheld requested information from the union.
The delivery company in question, Battle-Tested Strategies, was based out of Amazon’s DAX8 fulfillment center in Palmdale, California. After drivers decided to unionize and join the Teamsters union, the company’s owner, Johnathon Ervin, voluntarily acknowledged their choice. However, Amazon ultimately terminated its contract with the company, resulting in the loss of jobs for the 84 drivers who delivered Amazon packages.
This outcome signifies a victory for Teamsters officials who challenged Amazon’s long-standing position that it does not have control over its subcontracted drivers and therefore bears no legal responsibility for their working conditions. This ruling could potentially lead to delivery drivers in other locations unionizing and demanding negotiations with Amazon.
In response to the NLRB’s findings, Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien praised the determination, stating, “Amazon drivers have taken their future into their own hands and won a monumental determination that makes clear Amazon has a legal obligation to bargain with its drivers over their working conditions.”
While the NLRB dismissed some of the allegations brought forth by the Teamsters, it did not find Amazon’s decision to end the contract with Battle-Tested Strategies to be retaliatory. Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards argued that most of the Teamsters’ claims were dismissed by the NLRB and reiterated that there is no merit to the allegations.
The next steps in this process involve potential litigation if Amazon and the Teamsters do not reach a settlement. A formal complaint could be issued by the NLRB based on its findings, leading to a hearing before an administrative law judge. Ultimately, the judge could mandate remedies if necessary, with the possibility of an appeal to the labor board in Washington.
Overall, this development marks a significant moment in the ongoing battle between Amazon and its contracted workers, shedding light on the need for fair treatment and labor practices within the company.
