SEIU Local Behind Strike Planned for

A group of people holding signs and standing in front of a building.


Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 26 officials are working hand-in-glove with some local organizations (representing approximately 30% of the warehouse workforce) to strike on Monday, Amazon Prime Day 1.  The strike planned to go forward in the Shakopee, Minnesota warehouse, which has been suffering from a quiet corporate campaign since last year.   It is not known how many Amazon workers are affiliated with SEIU Local 26, or if a vote to strike has been taken by members, or how many workers plan to take part in the strike.

Prime Days (heretofore one day) feature Amazon services and products at substantial discounts, comparable to sales the day after Thanksgiving, when retailers traditionally see their accounts in black instead of red ink.   This year Amazon Prime Days will be this coming Monday and Tuesday.

The Associated Press report is in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Workers at Amazon’s nonunion facilities in Minnesota began publicly complaining last year about harsh working conditions, increasing workloads, safety and limited advancement opportunities. Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Somali American from Minneapolis, joined them for a rally in December. But they say management has failed to address their concerns. So they’ve called for a six-hour stoppage that will overlap the morning and evening shifts on Prime Day.

The Seattle-based company, which says Amazon Prime has over 100 million paid members, called the organizers’ allegations baseless.

“The fact is Amazon offers already what this outside organization is asking for,” spokeswoman Brenda Alfred said in a statement.

The company does not expect any disruptions in shipments to customers, she said.

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