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Workers at KSBD in San Bernardino began picketing the afternoon of December 21st, 2024
In the early hours of December 19th, 2024, Amazon Teamsters across the nation began their historic strike, which expanded to all facilities with union representation in the following days. Taking place at the end of the year and during Amazon’s busiest season which occurs prior to Christmas as millions rush to secure gifts, the strike captured the hearts and minds of many across the United States.
Those who live in the region need no reminder that Amazon is one of the largest employers here, representing a large portion of the logistics and warehousing industry, which has the region’s job market in a chokehold. The Inland Empire was of particular importance to the strike since the organizing efforts are at the heart of both Riverside & San Bernardino Counties. The National Teamsters Amazon Organizing Division is led by 1932’s Secretary-Treasurer/Principal Officer, Randy Korgan, who is the National Director of the campaign.
For the duration of the strike, two Amazon facilities in the Inland Empire went on strike. DFX4 in Victorville, and KSBD in San Bernardino. Victorville joining the strike immediately and San Bernardino strategically joining later. Both facilities are crucial pressure points, KSBD is the West Coast’s largest Amazon Air Hub, responsible for nearly all of Hawai’i’s Amazon’s shipments from the continental United States.
Up the hill: the High Desert’s fight for more
Workers at DFX4 in Victorville joined fellow Teamsters on strike nationwide the morning of December 19th, 2024.
On December 19th, the Inland Empire Labor Council joined workers on the line in Victorville. We spoke to many workers, hearing about their righteous struggle for the three demands that they will win from the multi-trillion dollar company. Their demands were clear to anyone who joined the picket line: Fair pay, safe jobs, and better benefits. Listen to the words of John Gutierrez III below, a worker and everyday hero at the DFX4 facility in Victorville:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/945629600830700
In the video, Mr. Gutierrez mentions harsh working conditions at Amazon that reflect the struggles of company workers. He also speaks about the unique experience of workers in the High Desert. Many residents find themselves in the unfortunate situation having to go “down the hill” (into the cities of San Bernardino, Riverside, and beyond) for higher-paying jobs.
During our interview, Gutierrez mentioned that searching for a higher-paying job “down the hill” is full of problems. He says cars have a high chance of experiencing problems like giving out trying to drive the steep hill or overheating during hotter days. Additionally, long commutes can turn standard 8-hour shifts into a 10 to 12-hour workday. Without extra pay to adjust for travel times and the extra time he’s forced to spend away from home, this makes it particularly difficult to raise and provide for his small child. Having a job at Amazon allows him to pick-up his child from daycare nearby, however, it is increasingly difficult to provide for his small family. Large companies like Amazon shouldn’t be allowed to force their employees into poverty wages, nor take advantage of the conditions that allow for this to happen in more rural areas. Good, high-paying jobs should be available for people working in suburban, rural, or metropolitan areas.
A multi-trillion dollar giant ‘Berdoo’ped by workers
Moments after workers walked out of KSBD in San Bernardino and were greeted by fellow organizers and union members.
Amazon executives and managers knew that something would be coming when they refused to meet and bargain with Amazon Teamsters by their deadline of December 15th.
They caught wind of the December 19th strike date and assumed all facilities who unionized with the Teamsters would go on strike the same day. They were wrong.
The day of December 19th, managers at the KSBD Air Hub doubled all employees scheduled for the day, brought in lunch for workers, and reduced daily packages by half in preparation for a strike.
However, they ran into one large issue: there wasn’t one.
Some workers at KSBD had customized vests, showing their longtime association with the organizing drive at the Air Hub.
IE Amazon Workers successfully “faked out” management at the Air Hub, and won a significantly lighter workday for everyone called into work. Workers were able to experience a safer and more comfortable working environment, and a less stressful workload, showing that if Amazon wanted to ease up on the quotas and working conditions they could.
It took the idea of a potential work stoppage by an organized workforce for the “fake out” to happen. The union showed KSBD workers that a better future was possible, and made Amazon lose half of their profits during one of their busiest days of the year. Organized KSBD workers have a long history of wins, with their proven track record and experience allowing them to pull off impressive feats like this one.
KSBD workers later joined fellow Teamsters on strike the morning of Saturday, December 21st. They walked from the inside of an Amazon location rife with intimidation and paranoia outside to a lively atmosphere, greeted by their coworkers and allies alike. The Labor Council was also present on this day, lucky enough to see the momentous occasion when workers walked out to cheers and a rally, helmed by Randy Korgan and longtime organizers from the facility.
Spirits were high moments after workers walked out of KSBD, beginning their picket line.
Reporters from across the United States were present at the picket line, eager to document and hear the words of workers from the IE. We were lucky enough to have longtime organizers speak with us, like Sam Martin, who spoke about the situation at KSBD, below:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1114011967185923
The fight will continue
This strike was a momentous and historic one, the first of its kind at Amazon. For a moment, people around the country and world heard once again that the Inland Empire has something to say, and that the workers here deserve better. As their fight will continue, it’s crucial that we also continue to support these workers. One way to do so is by following them on Instagram and Facebook, both of which can be found at their website: https://www.ieamazonworkers.org/
For general Amazon Teamsters news, visit https://teamster.org/divisions/amazon-division/ to find social media pages and the most up-to-date news about the nationwide struggle to unionize Amazon.
Lastly, we’d like to thank both Teamsters 1932 for their frequent collaboration during this campaign in addition to keeping us up to date, and to every single worker we were lucky enough to speak with.
