Rally at Amazon facility in Rochester in support of national strike

A rally took place Thursday morning at the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Rochester to support a national strike led by the Teamsters union. Workers nationwide are striking, accusing Amazon of refusing to negotiate with thousands of unionized employees. Picket lines have been set up at facilities in New York City, Atlanta, Southern California, Skokie, Illinois, and Rochester’s ROC 1 facility on Manitou Road.

Tim Barbeto, President of Teamsters Local 118, expressed frustration over Amazon’s refusal to bargain, noting that the issue has persisted for nearly two years. “This is a trend that we need to break, and that’s why we are demonstrating nationwide,” Barbeto stated.

Amazon responded with a statement accusing the Teamsters of misleading the public and falsely claiming representation of Amazon employees and drivers. The company also alleged that the union has engaged in illegal coercion tactics, which are the subject of pending unfair labor practice charges.

The Rochester rally is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, as part of broader demonstrations aimed at pressuring Amazon to engage in negotiations. News 8 reports that “it’s only a picket, there’s no work stoppage here,” for anyone concerned about Christmas shipping.

Source: Rochester First