A group of Amazon delivery drivers recently staged a labor strike at the DAX7 Amazon Sortation Center in South Gate, leading to police intervention due to a hold-up of Amazon vehicles. This event sheds light on the ongoing debate surrounding the employment status of Amazon’s contracted delivery drivers.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) regional director made a significant statement on Wednesday, suggesting that Amazon should be considered a “joint employer” of some of its contracted delivery drivers. This statement came in response to two unfair labor practice charges filed earlier this year concerning the treatment of drivers at an Atlanta warehouse, known as DAT6. The NLRB found that Amazon jointly employed drivers at the site who worked for a contractor called MJB Logistics.
Amazon has been adamant about avoiding the label of a joint employer for its network of contracted delivery companies. However, lawmakers and labor groups, including the Teamsters union, argue that Amazon exerts significant control over these drivers, from providing them with branded uniforms and vans to setting their schedules and performance expectations.
The implications of this determination by the NLRB could be far-reaching. It may compel Amazon to engage in collective bargaining with employees seeking to unionize. This ruling comes on the heels of a similar decision last month, where Amazon was deemed a joint employer of subcontracted drivers at a facility in Palmdale, California.
The Teamsters union has been actively organizing Amazon delivery and warehouse workers, with notable strikes and organizing efforts taking place across the country. This latest development adds fuel to the ongoing labor dynamics within Amazon’s expansive delivery network.
As the NLRB moves forward with litigating these allegations, the potential outcomes could shape the future of labor relations within the e-commerce giant. Both Amazon and labor groups will likely closely monitor these developments in the coming months.
In conclusion, the recent labor strike by Amazon delivery drivers and the NLRB’s determination of joint employment status have brought to light the complex dynamics of labor relations within the e-commerce industry. The implications of this event could have a lasting impact on both the industry and workers’ rights, prompting further discussions and actions in the realm of labor organizing and collective bargaining.
