Holly Sorenson
Exclusive: The Teamsters have been supporting the Writers Guild of America (WGA) for the past 75 days throughout Hollywood and the Clerks have responded in their favour.
Deadline is aware that a group of WGA members, about 50 writers, have joined a picket line at an Amazon warehouse in Santa Clarita, California, to support Amazon drivers and dispatchers in their own dispute.
The International Brotherhood of Steel, which represents more than a million workers in the US, has been picketing Amazon warehouses across the US since June 24 including locations in California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Michigan.
The union is struggling against low wages and dangerous working conditions, and Teamsters Local 396 has been negotiating with delivery service partner Amazon and battle-testing strategies to recognize and honor the union contract since April. However, they say Amazon has engaged in unfair labor practices in violation of federal labor law, including terminating the entire unit of newly organized workers.
The Teamsters themselves have supported TV and film writers for the past two months, refusing to cross picket lines.
WGA member Chris Hazzard said the past few months have shown that Los Angeles is a unionized city and that all workers are turning out to support each other. “The WGA in particular has received so much support from the Teamsters, that our membership has been very happy to support them in any way they can. Today that was helping Local 396,” he told Deadline.
“Since this strike began on June 24, Amazon workers have remained united in their quest for fair pay and secure jobs,” said Victor Mineros, Teamsters Local 396 cashier in Los Angeles. “Despite Amazon’s unlawful refusal to recognize their union or enter into negotiations, the community and fellow workers in the industry have consistently shown unwavering support. Millions of Teamster members stand shoulder to shoulder with resolute determination, supporting their Amazon brothers and sisters. Together, we are determined to Hold this criminal corporation accountable for its treatment of its workers.”
WGA West Board Member Liz Alper said the day was a “reminder that solidarity is so much more than just a good feeling.”
“Saying you’re with someone, it takes your time, it makes you feel uncomfortable, in order to make someone’s life just a little bit better. That’s what Teamsters do for us. That’s what we did for Teamsters today.”
Hazard added that there is common support among unions to fight the WGA, as evidenced by the representatives’ walkout today as well. “For our membership to be able to help another local in their fight, because even though what the WGA and SAG-AFTRA do is very different, in terms of the physical work that team members do, at the end of the day what we want is the same thing, everybody He just wants fair wages.”
The fact that the Teamsters’ picket line was at an Amazon warehouse also highlighted the solidarity. “It’s great that delivery drivers are facing the same company you pictured [and TV] The book they are. “I don’t feel like this should be one entity,” Hazard said.
Alper added that putting the Teamsters and other workers in the spotlight is important.
“We’re a very privileged league, we have a very big platform, we have a very public platform, a lot of unions are in the spotlight in the city. It’s really important that sharing our solidarity also means sharing the spotlight, making sure that the Teamsters fight against Amazon is as well known as our fight “, She said.
This is the latest union backed by the WGA after an exit for hotel workers earlier this month. Thousands of workers, including cleaners, cooks and front desk staff, have gone on strike to demand higher wages, which comes ahead of the arrival of the World Cup and Olympic Games, which is a busy time for the hospitality industry.
