Schakowsky, García, Budzinski, Illinois Colleagues Demand End to Amazon Union-Busting, Intimidation, and Retaliation Against Skokie Drivers

Full Text of Letter (PDF)

"As members of the Illinois Congressional delegation, we are committed to ensuring that Amazon respects the rights of all its workers, including its DSP drivers in Skokie, IL," wrote the Representatives. "We ask for your commitment to refrain from threats of intimidation and retaliation as DSP drivers exercise their rights to organize a union, and if they so choose bargain collectively to negotiate in good faith to secure improvements in their wages and working conditions."

This week, the Amazon drivers in Skokie are continuing to participate in an unfair labor practice strike. The purpose of the strike is to ask Amazon to recognize their union and bargain a fair contract.

"Our offices have recently received several credible reports of intimidation and retaliation against these workers for engaging in union organizing activity. […]," the lawmakers continued. "Amazon has now been accused of several serious breaches of the National Labor Relations Act in recent years, and as you are aware, an NLRB administrative law judge recently ruled that you broke federal labor law with your public comments regarding increased union efforts by Amazon workers."

Representatives Schakowsky, García, and Budzinski were joined on the letter by Reps. Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Sean Casten (IL-06), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Bill Foster (IL-11), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Mike Quigley (IL-05), and Robin L. Kelly (IL-02).

The lawmakers' letter follows twoearlier bipartisan letters from the Senate expressing their concerns with the treatment of Amazon's Delivery Service Partner (DSP) delivery drivers. The Senate has yet to receive a substantive response.

"Amazon delivery drivers organizing with the Teamsters are courageously taking on one of the biggest corporate giants on the planet," said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien. "Instead of respecting workers' rights to organize, Amazon responds with bullying and lawbreaking-once again proving exactly what Teamsters have been saying about this company's exploitative DSP program. But Amazon drivers in Skokie refuse to be intimidated by the white-collar criminals running this company. The Teamsters Union appreciates the support of elected officials who are showing real backbone against Corporate America by standing with these brave workers."

Given the serious nature of these concerns, the lawmakers are requesting a response from Amazon by July 15, 2024.

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