CASTLETON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- With less than a week until Christmas and so many using Amazon to receive and send gifts, Teamsters are striking at Amazon facilities across the country. It began Thursday morning, including at a facility in Castleton-on-Hudson.
In a press release, the union called this the largest strike against the online shopping company. It also said that Amazon has refused to bargain with workers organized with the Teamsters.
In a statement to ABC News, an Amazon spokesperson said the Teamsters have illegally coerced workers to join the union. The spokesperson also said the company has increased the starting minimum wage for workers in fulfillment centers and transportation employees by 20%.
In September, the average base wage was set at $22 an hour. Amazon said it does not expect an impact on operations.
NEWS10's Giuliana Bruno interviewed Tom Quackenbush, president of Teamsters Local 294, at the strike. Quackenbush said the strikers will be there for the next 48 hours, stating the strike is to support Amazon workers who are being mistreated.
"We've organized 25 Amazon facilities throughout the United States, and the company is failing to come to the table," said Quackenbush. "Healthcare, wages, they're not taking care of their people."
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