Teamsters Target RivCo Amazon Site For Protest, Company Denies Any Disruption

RIVERSIDE, CA — A union-organized labor action outside an Amazon warehouse in south Riverside Wednesday sought to spotlight "workers' rights," but the corporation said the action caused no disruption and appeared to be part of an ongoing campaign to "mislead" the public.

Teamsters Local 1932 said a work stoppage was initiated Wednesday morning at the Amazon facility near the intersection of Krameria Avenue and Village Drive, a block from Riverside National Cemetery.

The warehouse, known as DJT6, employs an undisclosed number of individuals whom the Teamsters said are demanding "safer working conditions" and have been subjected to "unfair labor practices."

"Amazon thinks it can trample workers' rights with no consequences, but Amazon Teamsters ... are proving them wrong," Director of Teamsters Amazon Division and Local 1932 Treasurer Randy Korgan said. "Amazon has ignored the law for long enough. If this multitrillion-dollar company won't listen to workers on the job, then we will make it listen to us on the streets."

Amazon spokeswoman Eileen Hards released a statement to City News Service clarifying that the union does not represent any of the workers at DJT6. She said there has never been an election called by employees for the purpose of organizing under the Teamsters banner.

"This demonstration by the Teamsters is another example of their continuing illegal efforts to intimidate workers, block entry and exit to our facilities and interfere with our operations," Hards said. "Our employees have the choice of whether to join a union. The fact is, we already provide much of what the Teamsters are requesting, including safe and inclusive workplaces, competitive pay, health benefits on day one and opportunities for career growth."

According to Hards, there was no evidence Wednesday of an employee joining the outdoor protest, but if one did, the worker would've "attended on break time" and clocked in and out to remain in compliance with shift requirements.

The Teamsters insisted that members "on primary shifts at the DJT6 facility" participated in the stoppage, "bringing one of Amazon's key nationwide hubs to a 24-hour stop."

Hards denied the claim, calling it another example of how the union continues to "mislead the public."

"I joined the Teamsters with hundreds of my co-workers to win better pay and safer working conditions at DJT6," said Teamsters Local 1932 member Emmanuel Cadena, who said he works at the warehouse. "Instead of listening to our concerns, Amazon has responded with illegal intimidation and retaliation against us. If Amazon doesn't want to listen to us, then we have no other choice but to strike to defend our rights."

Hards said that Amazon "teams remain focused on doing what they do best: delivering for customers."

She added that the corporation has invested $1 billion over the previous year to contain health insurance costs and boost the salaries of employees in fulfillment and transportation capacities.

Amazon has increased "the average base hourly wage to over $23 and (brought) average total compensation — including benefits — to $30 per hour," according to the spokeswoman, who said the corporation provides retirement plans, educational assistance programs, "paid parental leave" and mental health counseling.

The union did not announce any additional planned labor actions at the warehouse, which is one of multiple facilities operated by Amazon in the Inland Empire.