In a significant development, hundreds of delivery drivers working for e-commerce giant Amazon.com have decided to join the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in their quest for improved wages, working conditions, and safety standards. The labor union announced this move on Monday, highlighting the increasing trend of contract workers across the country organizing themselves to negotiate better terms with Amazon.

The group of workers, based in Queens, New York, specifically from three Delivery Service Partners (DSPs), are demanding that Amazon recognize their union and engage in negotiations for a Teamsters contract, as stated by the union representatives. This collective effort comes as no surprise, as similar unionization campaigns have taken place in Palmdale, California, and Skokie, Illinois, where workers have been on strike, seeking similar demands.

According to the labor union, these workers are looking for better working conditions, consistent schedules, and reasonable workloads. The delivery drivers believe that joining forces as part of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters will empower them to fight for their rights as employees of Amazon and ensure their demands are met.

Last week, Amazon announced a significant investment of $660 million over the next year to enhance compensation for its DSPs. While the gesture was seen as a positive step towards addressing some of the concerns raised by the workers, the demands for union recognition and formal discussions through the Teamsters contract persist.

This latest development comes on the heels of a recent ruling by a National Labor Relations Board prosecutor, who stated that Amazon should be jointly responsible with a contractor for allegedly employing unlawful tactics to discourage delivery drivers in Atlanta from unionizing.

The move by Amazon delivery drivers to join the International Brotherhood of Teamsters highlights the growing sentiment among contract workers across the United States who are seeking fair treatment, improved conditions, and adequate compensation from the e-commerce giant. As efforts to unionize gain momentum, it remains to be seen how Amazon will respond and whether negotiations can result in mutually beneficial outcomes for both the company and its delivery drivers.