What led to Amazon’s unlawful attempt to terminate a driver’s contract for joining a union?
The Conflict Begins
In 2015, Andy Schifter, the owner of InTime Delivery, partnered with Amazon to provide delivery services. Despite the partnership lasting for five years, Schifter and his drivers faced several issues, including long wait times to pick up packages at Amazon’s fulfillment centers. Schifter tried to negotiate with Amazon to make the process smoother but had little success.
Eventually, Schifter’s drivers formed a union, the Independent Delivery Drivers Association (IDDA), in October 2019, to protect their rights and presented a list of demands to Amazon, including better pay and working conditions.
Amazon’s Retaliation
Amazon did not take kindly to the drivers’ unionization and terminated Schifter’s contract in November 2019, claiming that he breached the terms of the contract. However, Schifter believed that Amazon’s decision was retaliation for the drivers’ unionization.
The drivers’ union filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), arguing that Amazon terminated Schifter’s contract as a retaliatory measure against their unionization.
The Outcome
The NLRB found merit in the drivers’ complaint and issued a complaint against Amazon in April 2020. Amazon settled with the union before the trial began, agreeing to rehire Schifter and pay him back pay and damages. The settlement also included the drafting of training materials for Amazon managers on anti-retaliation policies and collective bargaining rights.
Conclusion
The case of Andy Schifter and his drivers highlights the importance of collective bargaining and the need for protection against retaliation. By forming a union, the drivers were able to make their voices heard and demand change from Amazon. However, Amazon’s actions show that there is still a long way to go in ensuring that workers’ rights are protected.