Teamsters are on strike at several Amazon distribution centers, including the Queens warehouse

MASPETH, QUEENS (WABC) — Hundreds protested at Amazon distribution centers in several states, including New York, where delivery workers are on strike.

These are not Amazon employees, but the Teamsters’ Union is supporting them in their protest for better benefits, more money and job security.

As for on-time delivery of items, Amazon says not to worry.

On Thursday, chanting amid chaos in a clash between Amazon protesters and the NYPD.

“Don’t push me. Don’t push me. I’m working. I’m at work,” said Amazon driver Jogsyn Cardenas.

Amazon truck driver Cardenas says he stopped his truck close to the line in an intense battle between workers and the company to organize its employees.

Cardenas was one of two people arrested and ticketed for disorderly conduct.

“I was inside the car. I didn’t even get out. They just opened the door from me and they grabbed me out of the car,” Cardenas said.

Nearly 200 protesters, including Amazon workers and supporters, ran outside Amazon’s distribution center in Maspeth, Queens.

Organizers say they are part of 10,000 workers nationwide at seven Amazon facilities on strike.

“I see UPS drivers on my route every day. They say good morning to me. We do the same job and they get paid twice as much as I do. When in reality, Amazon makes more money than UPS.” Amazon driver Emmanuel Trinidad said.

The Teamsters Union, which is holding the largest strike yet against Amazon, says the nationwide protest follows the $2 trillion company’s repeated refusal to follow the law and bargain with the Amazon workers who organized with the Teamsters.

“This is a union building. They should be negotiating in good faith with these workers at the bargaining table. They’re refusing,” said Teamsters Local 804 organizer Antonio Rosario.

Rosario, a strike organizer, was the second person arrested.

He says the Teamsters agreed to let an Amazon truck out of its warehouse every 2-3 days. minute.

“I kept walking to use my right. They said I was blocking. I wasn’t blocking. I kept walking and I told them the 2 to 3 minutes haven’t passed and they said they just decided to arrest me,” Rosario said.

With just six days until Christmas, Amazon said it did not expect the work action to affect operations during the busy holiday shopping season.

“We’re out here one person per truck and 250 to 300 and something packages. That’s a lot,” Amazon driver Tiffany Sanders said.

The National Labor Relations Board, where these complaints are filed, noted, “NLRB regional offices have documented 331 open or settled unfair labor practice charges filed with the agency by various parties against Amazon, its subsidiaries and DSPs as joint employers in 26 states. Additionally 17 lawsuits have been filed against the Teamsters or ALU by either Amazon or individuals.”

Mayor Eric Adams said, “We strongly encourage the employer and workers to reach a fair and reasonable agreement on economic terms, as the city has done with over 97% of the workforce.”

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