by Tensions between the Teamsters union and Amazon escalated last week during the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters’ annual convention, where union leaders vowed to intensify their campaign to organize Amazon workers nationwide.
“This is the beginning of a war with Amazon,” declared William Hamilton, president of the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters, which represents nearly 95,000 workers in warehousing, transportation, and related sectors. Hamilton accused Amazon of creating unsafe workplaces and exploiting employees through low wages and poor working conditions.
The conference, held in Hershey, brought together some of Pennsylvania’s most prominent political figures, including Gov. Josh Shapiro, House Speaker Joanna McClinton, and U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. The event focused broadly on organizing efforts and political priorities, but Amazon was the clear focal point of many discussions.
Long-Running Labor Dispute
The Teamsters and Amazon have been locked in a years-long battle over labor rights, particularly regarding warehouse and delivery workers. A central point of contention is Amazon’s use of independent contractors through its “delivery service partners” (DSP) model. The union argues this classification allows Amazon to avoid providing essential benefits and protections such as minimum wage guarantees and healthcare.
Amazon, however, insists its DSPs are independent businesses that meet or exceed federal standards for healthcare and worker treatment. In a statement, Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards said the company offers “safe and inclusive workplaces, competitive pay, and benefits from day one,” while denying claims that it imposes unsafe conditions or suppresses worker rights.
Organizing Gains and Strikes
The Teamsters report they have successfully organized nearly 10,000 Amazon workers across the country in 2024, including at a New York distribution center with over 5,000 employees. Amazon disputes this, claiming no formal union elections have occurred and denying that these workers are its employees. “The Teamsters have continued to intentionally mislead the public,” Hards said, adding that several unfair labor practice charges have been filed against the union for allegedly coercive tactics.
In Pennsylvania and elsewhere, strikes and pickets were staged during the last holiday season to protest Amazon’s refusal to engage in contract negotiations. Randy Korgan, national director of the Teamsters’ Amazon division, told attendees that these actions are just the beginning. “We’re building committees and educating workers,” he said. “You’re not going to get your employer to recognize anything until you shut it down.”
Pushing for Legislative Change
The union is also targeting Amazon through legislative efforts. Thomas Doyle, state program director for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, said they are advocating for new laws to increase transparency and worker protections. One bill, already passed in five states including California and New York, would require companies to disclose warehouse productivity quotas—a measure aimed at preventing injuries caused by excessive workloads.
“In most warehouses, workers know what’s expected of them,” Doyle said. “At Amazon, those expectations are often hidden, creating a dangerous invisible clock.” The Teamsters are now pushing to bring similar legislation to Pennsylvania.
Other legislative goals include:
- Requiring human oversight in autonomous commercial vehicles.
- Protecting workers exposed to extreme heat or cold.
- Banning mandatory “captive audience” meetings used to discourage union activity.
Amazon Pushes Back
Amazon disputes the claim that it uses productivity quotas and argues its safety record is improving. According to Hards, Amazon’s recordable incident and lost time injury rates in the U.S. have dropped by 31% and 76.5%, respectively, since 2019. “But we’re not satisfied and we won’t be until we’re best in class,” she added.
Despite the company’s stance, Teamsters organizers remain committed to expanding their campaign—especially in key regions like Pennsylvania. “We need to scale this up,” said Liana Dalton, an organizer with the union’s Amazon division. “The only way to win is to organize everywhere and prepare to shut down entire markets if necessary.”
As both sides dig in, the coming months could mark a critical chapter in the growing labor movement at one of the world’s most powerful corporations.
