Workers delivering packages from seven Amazon distribution centers across the United States went on strike Thursday morning, according to the Teamsters, the union that represents them.
The Teamsters said thousands of workers had joined the strike, but it was not yet clear how many were actually taking part in the action. Amazon told the newspaper The New York Times which expected the seven affected distribution centers to operate normally.
The workers are employees of companies that Amazon uses to deliver packages to customers. Amazon said it has no obligation to negotiate with drivers as they are not its employees. However, the union and workers said Amazon ultimately controls their working conditions and was therefore obligated to negotiate with them.
The US National Labor Relations Board investigated the cases and issued at least one complaint considering the workers as Amazon employees and accusing the company of violating the law by not negotiating with them.
(Article being updated)
