Holly Sorensen
EXCLUSIVE: The Teamsters Union has been supporting the Writers Guild of America (WGA) across Hollywood for 75 days and the writers have returned the favor.
Deadline understands that a group of WGA members, about 50 authors, have joined a strike line outside an Amazon warehouse in Santa Clarita, California, in support of Amazon drivers and dispatchers in their own dispute.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, representing over a million workers in the US, has been demonstrating Amazon warehouses across the US since June 24, including locations in California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Michigan.
The union is fighting low wages and unsafe working conditions, and Teamsters Local 396 has been negotiating with Amazon’s delivery partner and Battle-Tested Strategies since April to recognize and honor the union contract. However, they say Amazon engaged in unfair labor practices that violate federal labor laws, including firing the entire unit of reorganized workers.
The Teamsters themselves have supported TV and film writers for the past two months and have refused to cross the picket line.
WGA member Chris Hazzard said the past few months have shown that LA is a union city and all workers are keen to support one another. “The WGA in particular has received just enough support from the Teamsters that our members would love to support them in any way we can. Today that helped the local 396,” he told Deadline.
“Ever since this strike began on June 24, these Amazon workers have remained united in their pursuit of fair pay and secure jobs,” said Victor Mineros, secretary and treasurer of Teamsters Local 396 in Los Angeles. “Despite Amazon’s unlawful refusal to recognize their union or participate in negotiations, the community and colleagues in this industry have always shown unwavering support. Millions of Teamster members stand side by side with a firm determination, supporting their brothers and sisters at Amazon. Together we are determined to hold this corporate criminal accountable for the treatment of his workers.”
WGA West board member Liz Alper said today was a “reminder that solidarity is so much more than just feeling good”.
“Saying you’re dating someone takes your time, it makes you uncomfortable, to make someone’s life a little bit better. That’s what the Teamsters did for us. That’s what we did for the Teamsters today,” she added.
Hazzard added that there was cross-union support for the WGA fight, as evidenced by today’s actors’ strike. “So that our membership can help one of the other locals in their fight, because while the work of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA is very different in terms of the physical work that the teamsters do at the end of the day, “What we want is basically the same, everyone just wants fair wages,” he said.
The fact that the Teamsters picket line was in front of an Amazon warehouse also underscored the solidarity. “It’s quite revealing that the delivery drivers are dealing with the same company that made the film [and TV] are writers. It doesn’t feel like this should be a unit,” Hazzard said.
Alper added that it’s important to give the spotlight to the Teamsters and other workers.
“We’re a very privileged union, we have a very large platform, we have a very public platform and we have a spotlight that many unions in the city don’t get. It’s really important that sharing our solidarity also means being in the spotlight and making sure the Teamsters’ fight against Amazon is as well known as our fight,” she said.
It’s the latest union to back the WGA after lobbying for hotel workers earlier this month. Thousands of workers, including cleaners, cooks and receptionists, have gone on strike to demand wage increases ahead of the World Cup and Olympics, a busy time for the hospitality industry.