Andrew Strom a Labor Lawyer and Senior Contributor to the OnLabor Blog joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent issues with the efforts to organize Amazon delivery drivers in California.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has recently announced that 84 delivery drivers for Amazon have voted to organize. These drivers are part of a company known as Battle Tested Strategies and are contracted to drive for Amazon. Since the announcement, Amazon announced their plans to end the contract with Battle Tested Strategies. Strom points out that there are many different issues that need to be determined by the NLRB.
Strom said the nuances of the employment situation could cause issues for both Amazon and the drivers. The biggest question concerning the drivers is whether Amazon is considered a joint employer. According to Strom, if Amazon is determined to be a joint employer they will have violated national labor laws.
The Teamsters have filed an unfair labor practice claim against Amazon with the National Labor Relations Board. The NLRB is responsible for determining the employer status for Amazon. If the NLRB decides Amazon is not a joint employer or they decided -to end the contract with the drivers, prior to the organizing drive, all 84 drivers with Battle Tested Strategies would be without a job according to Strom.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.