The Teamsters Return to Ugly Type

The Teamsters have a long history of bullying that often becomes violent, and its campaign to organize Amazon workers resulted in a bloody confrontation last week in Riverside, Calif. The protest at Amazon's facility has followed a familiar Teamsters playbook. First, the union claimed Amazon workers had signed cards showing support for the union. Then the Teamsters demanded that Amazon bargain with the union, though a secret ballot election was never held and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) hadn't certified the union. When Amazon refused to bargain, the Teamsters accused the company of committing an unfair labor practice. Last Wednesday the union launched what it called a one-day 'unfair labor practice strike' in which labor organizers—most of whom weren't employed by Amazon—blocked vehicles from entering and exiting the facility. Amazon says it notified the Riverside County Sheriff's Department several times throughout the day of 'hostile acts by the picketers and blocking the ingress and egress of the site.' Law enforcement declined to respond until people were hurt.