Amazon air hub employees push for union after years of organizing efforts

A KSBD employee participating in the union card-signing blitz. Photo by Athena Tan.

Amazon workers at KSBD, the company’s largest West Coast air facility, launched a union drive to join the 1.3 million-member Teamsters Union after years of grassroots organizing.

The move follows recent worker-led actions at KSBD, including strikes and walkouts, to address unsafe conditions and unfair labor practices.

KSBD workers like Tobias Cheng, who has worked at the air hub for three years, says Amazon can do better and joining the Teamsters could help improve their quality of life.

“The union has me excited because I've seen the positive impact a union can have on the lives of working families,” said Tobias Cheng, a three year KSBD veteran. “And the quality of life is not where it should be at, and it's not where it can be at.”

KSBD workers have a history of securing workplace improvements and wage increases—despite their non-union status—following a site closure during the 2021 Christmas rush that resulted in nationwide policy change: only one day during the holiday season would be unpaid. In September, workers persuaded management to halt operations at KSBD during dangerous wildfire conditions until it was deemed safe to come back to work.

The KSBD union effort is part of a larger wave of organizing at Amazon facilities nationwide. Recent victories include unionization by drivers and warehouse workers in California, New York, and Illinois, along with protests in Kentucky. Workers cite neglect and disrespect from Amazon as key motivators for joining the Teamsters.

Eileen Hards, an Amazon spokesperson, explained to The Frontline Observer in an email that employees have always had the choice to join a union.

“We favor opportunities for each person to be respected and valued as an individual, and to have their unique voice heard by working directly with our team,” Hards said. “The fact is, Amazon already offers what many unions are requesting: Safe, engaging and inclusive workplaces, competitive pay, health, vision and dental benefits on day one, and opportunities for career growth.”

Teamsters members and KSBD employees posing for a photo to celebrate the push to unionize. Photo by Athena Tan.

Anna Ortega, a KSBD employee, says unionization is the only way to secure workplace rights under Amazon.

"Ultimately, [Amazon] has the power. It's up to them when they get to change the policies . . . when they want to implement them," said Ortega. "If we really want to make changes that they cannot backtrack on, that they can't take away from us . . . this is the route we have to take.”

Despite the challenge, Ortega remains hopeful.

“We're still really just focused on building a majority and securing what we need in a Teamster contract,” Ortega said. “You know, momentum is on our side.”