Workers at seven U.S. Amazon facilities staged a walkout on Thursday during the holiday shopping season, protesting alleged unfair treatment.

The strike, described by Teamsters officials as the largest against Amazon, occurred in cities such as New York, Atlanta, and San Francisco. However, it is not expected to significantly impact Amazon’s vast shipping operations.

As the second-largest private employer globally, Amazon has faced criticism from unions for prioritising speed and efficiency, which they claim contributes to workplace injuries.

The company maintains that it offers competitive wages and has implemented automation to alleviate repetitive stress on workers.

Despite the protests, Amazon’s shares rose by 1.8% on Thursday afternoon.

Amazon’s workforce

Workers involved in the strike are urging Amazon to engage in negotiations, citing concerns over health issues related to demanding job requirements.

However, this walkout represents only a small fraction of Amazon’s workforce of over 800,000 employees at more than 600 U.S. facilities.

One of the strikers, Jordan Soreff, expressed that Amazon operates under a rigorous quota system that pressures employees to exceed their limits.

Soreff, along with about 100 others, protested outside an Amazon location in Queens, but the facility remained operational, with other drivers continuing their work.

An Amazon spokesperson accused the Teamsters of misleading the public and coercing employees and contractors to join the strike.