Millions of Americans look forward to shopping events that save them money such as Cyber Monday, Black Friday and Prime Days. But there is something else consumers should watch for, and something far less pleasant: the possibility of union “strikes” designed to disrupt the biggest sales events of the year.
The Teamsters (IBT) have a well-documented history of escalating pressure and publicity during these consumer events, announcing “strikes” at key warehouse locations. If that sounds familiar, it should. In 2023, the Teamsters threatened to shut down UPS – America’s largest delivery service – during the busy summer season. Just six months ago, they threatened to steal Christmas by blocking Amazon deliveries before the holidays. This is all part of their playbook -- stir up public pressure and target key logistics hubs -- but the union’s failed December Amazon protests were yet another example of the Teamsters bosses’ desperation.
Here’s why. On the outside, these protesters blocking roads and delivery drivers appear to be striking Amazon workers, but appearances can be deceiving.
The Teamsters were offering $1,000 per week in strike pay to those who walk out. On its own, strike pay isn’t unusual for workers represented by a union who are legitimate strikers. However, in this case, to get the money, workers were pressured to first fill out a union membership application, which also means they aren’t represented by the IBT in a genuine, legally-recognized bargaining unit in the first place.
Let’s be clear: this offer is not just shady; it likely breaks the law.
Under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), workers have the right to freely decide whether or not to support or join a union. They can’t be pressured or bribed into backing one. In fact, the Supreme Court addressed this exact issue in a 1973 case, NLRB v. Savair Manufacturing Co., where it ruled that unions can’t offer financial benefits in exchange for membership or public support. Doing so paints a false picture of genuine backing and makes it hard for workers to make their own choice. And it certainly tricks the public.
That’s exactly what the Teamsters seem to be doing here. They’re offering a quid pro quo: support the union, and we’ll pay you. That’s a textbook unfair labor practice. And it raises a serious question: if future strikes do break out, how much of the “worker outrage” we see on the news will simply be pay-to-play street theater?
Union organizing has floundered (even IBT claims to represent only 10,000 Amazon employees and contractors), so they’ve resorted to staging protests, making false claims and paying employees they don’t actually represent under law to “playact” as strikers.
According to a new study from the Mercatus Center, more powerful unions don’t always deliver better results for workers even if they do in fact represent them. The report finds that union-backed rules often raise costs without improving outcomes for employees. That’s a bad deal for consumers and an even worse one for workers.
This is especially important as we look forward to something like Prime Day. Amazon is a massive supply chain engine that keeps costs down for millions of Americans. If the Teamsters decide to cause disruptions, shoppers and families would be left to pay the price.
To be clear, no major Amazon demonstration “strikes” have happened yet. But the warning signs are there – one Teamsters boss even said this was “the beginning of a war.” The union’s tactics so far raise serious legal and ethical questions. Workers should be protected and be given a real choice, and unions should not be trying to rig the game or scam the public.
And it is worth pointing out that when unions, including the IBT, do legally represent employees, they usually do so without ever having to win elections among current employees in those workplaces. The representation in most cases was established somewhere between the 1930s and 1950s, so only those employees’ fathers or grandfathers ever got to vote for or against the union. What kind of representation is that?
This summer, while you’re filling your cart, keep your eyes on the headlines. Prime Day might bring more than just discounts – it could also be the next battleground in a high stakes labor campaign. The Teamsters could be buying employee participation in a fake “strike” designed to win public sympathy.
