The Teamsters union has recently made headlines as its members have voted to authorize a strike at three Amazon facilities, one of which is the Staten Island, New York, warehouse that notably became the first to have employees vote in favor of unionization in 2022. Despite this development, Amazon has asserted that its operations will remain unaffected by the union's actions, even in the event of a strike.

This conflict represents a significant moment in the ongoing struggle between labor and corporate power in the United States. The stakes are high, with implications for workers' rights, corporate responsibility, and the future of unionization in the tech and e-commerce sectors.

The Teamsters' Move: Authorizing a Strike

The Teamsters, while claiming to represent approximately 7,000 Amazon workers across the nation, constitute less than 1% of Amazon's total workforce in the United States. It is also worth noting that although the union has voted to approve a walk-out, no specific strike deadline has been set.

The union announced last week that workers at the San Bernardino air hub have joined the union. However, many of the 7,000 Teamsters referred to as "Amazon employees" are actually drivers for independent contractors who deliver exclusively for Amazon. These drivers are based at seven different Amazon facilities, including those in Queens and Skokie where strike votes have been authorized.

Amazon's Stance: Business as Usual

Amazon has asserted that its operations will remain unaffected by the union's actions, even in the event of a strike. Eileen Hards, a spokesperson for Amazon, stated in a communication, "Our operations have not been impacted by these recent protests; they have only caused inconvenience to our employees and partners."

The company is currently contesting the results of the 2022 Staten Island election in court and refuses to engage in negotiations with the union or recognize any employees who claim to have joined the union.

The Broader Context: Unionization Efforts at Amazon

In April 2022, the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), a relatively new union, won such a vote at Amazon's Staten Island facility. Other union votes at various Amazon facilities have been unsuccessful both before and after this event.

In June, members of the ALU voted to affiliate with the Teamsters, which is one of the largest and most influential unions in the country, boasting 1.3 million members. Voluntary recognition of a union by an employer is permitted under labor law, but it is a relatively rare occurrence.

Legal and Labor Relations: The NLRB's Role

Typically, unions secure representation of workers by filing for elections overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Under a recent NLRB opinion, these workers can be recognized as having two different employers, and unions can seek recognition and negotiate with either the contractor or the company they serve. Business groups continue to challenge the NLRB's dual employer opinion, and it may be rejected once President-elect Trump appoints a new NLRB General Counsel and board members early next year.

The Drivers' Situation: Contractors or Employees?

The drivers in Queens and Skokie may have participated in a strike vote, but there has never been an NLRB-supervised representation election at either location. Even if there had been such an election and it was certified by the NLRB, Amazon maintains that these drivers are not their employees but rather employees of its contractors.

Amazon further asserts that the majority of employees at the facilities the Teamsters claim to represent do not support the union or its efforts, and that the Teamsters' claim of representation is intended to "deliberately mislead the public."

The Financial Angle: Amazon's Profits and Workers' Struggles

Given Amazon's substantial profits, the union argues that the company should acknowledge its existence and engage in negotiations. Amazon reported a net income of $39.2 billion for the first nine months of this year, more than double that of the same period in 2023. "Amazon's so-called 'leaders' should treat their workers fairly—they simply want to provide for their families," Teamsters President Sean O'Brien stated. "Instead, Amazon executives risk jeopardizing the holiday season for their customers due to their obsession with prioritizing profits over people." Riley Holzworth, a driver from the Skokie facility who voted in favor of the strike, echoed this sentiment, saying, "Amazon is one of the largest companies globally, yet we struggle to make ends meet."

Amazon's Workforce and Union Representation

Amazon operates a network of over 1,000 warehouses in the United States, employing more than 740,000 workers, according to a recent government report. The Teamsters claim to represent Amazon workers at warehouses in San Francisco and San Bernardino, California, as well as the Staten Island workers who have been certified as union members by the NLRB.

Historical Precedents: UPS and the Teamsters

It is common for strike authorization votes to be approved, even if the union members never proceed with a strike, as was the case with UPS, the Teamsters' largest employer, in 2023, where an agreement was reached just a week before the deadline despite 97% of the membership authorizing a strike.

Conclusion: Implications for the Future of Labor Relations

The ongoing conflict between the Teamsters and Amazon represents the latest attempt by the union to exert pressure on the company and its staunchly anti-union stance, particularly during the critical holiday shopping season. This situation also signals that organized labor is exploring new strategies to advocate for workers at Amazon, which is the second-largest private sector employer in the United States.

However, Amazon has shown no signs of willingness to negotiate with the Teamsters or even to acknowledge that the union represents any of its workers, despite the union's assertion that employees at multiple Amazon facilities have expressed their desire to join through signed cards.

The union announced last week that workers at the San Bernardino air hub have joined the union. However, many of the 7,000 Teamsters referred to as "Amazon employees" are actually drivers for independent contractors who deliver exclusively for Amazon. These drivers are based at seven different Amazon facilities, including those in Queens and Skokie where strike votes have been authorized.

The drivers in Queens and Skokie may have participated in a strike vote, but there has never been an NLRB-supervised representation election at either location. Even if there had been such an election and it was certified by the NLRB, Amazon maintains that these drivers are not their employees but rather employees of its contractors.

Amazon further asserts that the majority of employees at the facilities the Teamsters claim to represent do not support the union or its efforts, and that the Teamsters' claim of representation is intended to "deliberately mislead the public." Under a recent NLRB opinion, these workers can be recognized as having two different employers, and unions can seek recognition and negotiate with either the contractor or the company they serve. Business groups continue to challenge the NLRB's dual employer opinion, and it may be rejected once President-elect Trump appoints a new NLRB General Counsel and board members early next year.

Amidst the deafening roar of enthusiastic spectators, the pulsating rhythm of chants, and the thunderous beats of taiko drums, throngs of participants heave colossal wooden structures through the bustling streets of Osaka. This frenetic scene is part of the region's "danjiri matsuri," or float festivals, a series of events that unfold over several weeks in October.

These festivals are renowned for their exhilarating yet perilous nature, earning a reputation as some of the most hazardous celebrations on Japan's festival calendar. The massive floats, weighing several tons, pose a significant risk, especially when maneuvering around tight corners, with accidents and even fatalities not being unheard of, particularly for those daring souls who ride atop the moving danjiri, known as "daikugata." Shinya Ogura, a seasoned danjiri rider with six festivals under his belt in Osaka's Otori district, shares, "Danjiri can sometimes topple or crash, and I've witnessed daikugata falling."

Despite the risks, Ogura finds the view from the summit and the exhilaration of maintaining balance on the float addictive. "It's an incredibly rewarding vantage point," he remarks. "My grandfather and father have been part of this tradition since my childhood, and I've followed in their footsteps."

These festivals, believed to have originated around 300 years ago, are deeply rooted in the local communities as a means to dispel illness, misfortune, or to pray a bountiful harvest. For centuries, danjiri festivals have also been a celebration of woodworking craftsmanship. The term "daikugata" literally translates to "carpenter," reflecting the festival's prestigious role once reserved for those who crafted the floats. Each danjiri is adorned with hundreds of intricately hand-carved figures.

Today, artisans like Akihiko Maeda carry on this legacy. Maeda, at 48 years old, stopped riding the danjiri a decade ago but continues to construct and restore floats for communities in Osaka. "I've been primarily focused on danjiri for several decades," Maeda says. "I'm always seeking ways to capture the dynamic postures of the sculptures, making them appear as if they're about to come to life." Crafting a custom danjiri is a labor-intensive process that can span up to five years, with each float costing the district approximately $650,000. "Once a danjiri is built, it's used for an average of 70 to 80 years," Maeda explains.

However, demand for Maeda's expertise is dwindling as the number of festival participants decreases. With Japan's birth rate at an all-time low, the country's population is in decline. In 2020, nearly 28% of Osaka's population was over the age of 65, compared to the global average of just over 9%. Kazuma Nakao, a veteran participant in Otori's danjiri festival for over four decades, laments the shortage of physically capable individuals needed to pull their float. "We have to borrow people from other districts. Every town is facing this issue now," he says.

Despite being outnumbered, this year's participants make up for it with their fervor. Some even take part in multiple festivals across different towns, one after another, a testament to their endurance that lasts well into the night. Ogura hopes that raising the international profile of danjiri festivals will help preserve their traditions for future generations. "I want people from around the world to witness them when they visit Japan," Ogura says. "I hope that this will continue to be a festival that children can enjoy and cherish."

The danjiri matsuri is not just a festival; it's a living embodiment of Japan's cultural heritage, a tradition that has been passed down through generations, with each float telling a story of craftsmanship and community spirit. The floats, towering and imposing, are a testament to the skill and dedication of the artisans who bring them to life. The figures that adorn them, each one unique and meticulously carved, are a celebration of the human form and the stories it can tell.

The danjiri matsuri is a spectacle that defies description, a chaotic ballet of tradition and modernity, where the past and present collide in a whirlwind of color, sound, and motion. It is a festival that challenges the participants, both physically and mentally, as they navigate the massive floats through the narrow streets of Osaka, their every move a dance with danger and excitement.

The "daikugata," those brave souls who ride atop the danjiri, are a symbol of the festival's spirit, their balance and agility a testament to their courage and the trust they place in their fellow participants. They are the embodiment of the festival's heart, their every move watched by the crowds below, their safety in the hands of those who pull the ropes and guide the floats.

The artisans, like Maeda, are the unsung heroes of the festival, their work often unseen but felt in every inch of the floats they create. Their dedication to their craft is a reflection of the festival's soul, a commitment to preserving a tradition that is as much a part of them as the air they breathe.

The danjiri matsuri is a festival that is as much about the community as it is about the floats. It is a time when neighbors come together, when generations old and new join hands to pull the ropes and guide the floats, their collective strength a testament to the power of unity and tradition.

As the population of Japan ages and the number of participants in the festival declines, the future of the danjiri matsuri hangs in the balance. But the spirit of the festival is resilient, its traditions deeply ingrained in the hearts of those who participate. It is a festival that refuses to be forgotten, a testament to the enduring nature of culture and the human spirit.

The danjiri matsuri is a festival that needs to be experienced to be truly understood. It is a festival that defies the ordinary, a celebration of life, tradition, and the human spirit. It is a festival that, despite the challenges it faces, continues to thrive, a beacon of hope and a reminder of the power of community and tradition in the face of change.