Sept. 6, 1869 One of the worst disasters in the history of U.S. anthracite mining occurred at the Avondale Mine, near Scranton, Pa., when a fire originating from a furnace at the bottom of a 237-foot shaft roared up the shaft, killing 110 miners. ~ Labor Tribune
Amazon ULP strike in Illinois over labor law violations July 1, 2024|Amazon drivers at the company’s DIL7 delivery station in Skokie, Illinois went on strike yesterday over the delivery giant’s numerous violations of federal labor law. The 100 drivers who organized with Teamsters Local 705 in Chicago are holding strong, demanding Amazon recognize their union and bargain a fair contract. “I work for one of the richest men in the world and I’ve had to skip meals to make sure my child eats and my bills are paid,” said Ebony Echevarria, a striking Amazon driver. “That’s just not right…” Learn more here.
Teamster-made, Teamster-delivered products for July 4th July 3, 2024|Getting ready for Fourth of July barbecues, cookouts and picnics? We have an online list of Teamster-made and Teamster-delivered products so that you can celebrate the July 4th festivities and support the Teamster brothers and sisters behind many of your favorite brands! The list is here.
Maryland under a high heat advisory July 8, 2024|(Updated.) Much of Maryland is under a heat advisory from the National Weather Service until Thursday. Heat indexes of around 105 degrees are expected. If you work outside you need to protect yourself: Drink water often. Rest in the shade. Report heat symptoms: Dizziness, headache, sweaty skin, fast heart beat, nausea, vomiting, weakness and cramping are symptoms of heat exhaustion. Symptoms of heat stroke are red, hot and dry skin, high body temperature, confusion, fainting, convulsions. Both types of heat illness require emergency care. Check out OSHA's website for additional information and advice about the hazards of working in hot weather.
Warehouse Worker Protection Act needs co-sponsors July 11, 2024|A bipartisan legislation called the Warehouse Worker Protection Act would require large warehouses like Amazon to disclose quotas that workers are judged by and make sure that workers are not required to meet a quota that interferes with their health and safety, or their ability to take breaks and to use the bathroom. Amazon’s injury rates are more than double the injury rate of competing warehouses. Email your representative today, and ask them to become an original co-sponsor of the Warehouse Worker Protection Act.
O’Brien takes on Big Business at RNC
O’Brien to take the podium at tonight's Republican National Convention July 15, 2024|Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien will address the American worker — and the nation at 10 pm EDT tonight. Teamsters labor, and Teamsters votes, will not be taken for granted. According to the Associated Press, a number of networks have announced special programming for the prime-time portions of the convention and prime-time speeches. Tune in. You don’t want to miss it!
Disneyland cast members authorize a strike* July 23, 2024|* Update: Tentative agreement reached.In a direct response to Disney executives’ refusal to negotiate in good faith and the company’s numerous unfair labor practices, Teamsters at Disneyland overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike. In California, 6,000 of the over 14,000 cast members at Disney are Teamsters. At Disneyland, these workers, including resort parking and transportation staff, attraction hosts, and animal care workers, are fighting for higher wages, better benefits, fair attendance policies, seniority rights, safer working conditions, and greater respect on the job. Learn more here.
Teamsters invite Harris to rank-and-file presidential roundtable July 23, 2024|Yesterday, the Teamsters Union officially invited Vice President Kamala Harris to sit down with rank-and-file Teamsters for a member roundtable following the recent announcement of her candidacy for U.S. President. “The Teamsters look forward to welcoming Vice President Kamala Harris to International Union headquarters in the near future to meet with our members directly,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “As we have said throughout this process, our members’ voices must be heard at all levels of our government to ensure the needs of working people are put first." All major candidates for President participated in roundtables between March 2023-2024.
Amazon workers strike at major West Coast hub July 26, 2024|Amazon workers organizing with the Teamsters at the company’s major air hub in Southern California walked off the job [last] Sunday in an unfair labor practice (ULP) strike over retaliation workers have faced for union organizing. The KSBD warehouse in San Bernardino is a crucial cog in Amazon’s logistics network and the largest air facility on the West Coast. The walkout in San Bernardino comes as Amazon workers nationwide organize in droves in a fight for better pay, safer working conditions, and a voice on the job, including Amazon Teamsters from Palmdale, California and Skokie, Illinois, who are currently on strike and extending their picket line to facilities across the country. Learn more here.