Jonathan Rosenblum, a labor organizer, and Ebony Echevarria, an Amazon delivery driver, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss ongoing negotiations with Amazon and what the workers are trying to earn through a first contract.
The recently formed Amazon Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters is now on strike at the Amazon Delivery Station in Chicago. As a driver, Echevarria provided insight into the tasks and knowledge needed to excel at the job. In her opinion, employees are skilled workers who deserve proper safety and respect. This includes the need for better compensation and the items needed to perform their jobs, which Echevarria said Amazon has failed to provide.
Rosenblum said the inability to provide proper items and compensation is not a funding issue. He explained that Amazon reported $13.5 billion in profits in the second quarter of 2024 and believes that it can easily afford to pay workers what they deserve. Rosenblum also questioned the motive behind the employer’s issue with the workers' wage demands.
Finally, Echevarria discussed the unified efforts as workers nationwide continue to fight for a first contract at Amazon. She said a good contract could guarantee the workers will receive the compensation they deserve. Both Echevarria and Rosenblum feel that collective action, like a national, coordinated fight, is the only way to stand up to the corporate giant and earn their first contract.
For more information on the ongoing contract negotiations at Amazon, please listen to the show above.