"Corporations can't get any lower"— Netizens react as Amazon is accused of trying to "flood" workers who went on strike in New York

A wave of public outcry has erupted online following allegations that Amazon attempted to "flood" its New York facilities with temporary workers during an employee strike.

On December 19, 2024, the e-commerce giant workers from seven facilities nationwide staged a strike, demanding higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. The strike gained significant attention online after videos allegedly showed the company flooding the areas where workers had gathered.

The alleged actions sparked outrage on X, with many users expressing solidarity with the striking workers. One netizen tweeted:

"Amazon is dumping tons of water in freezing temperatures just to try to force the striking workers to leave. Corporations can't get any lower."

Several netizens criticized the company, suggesting that such measures, if true, represented a new low for corporate behavior. Others noted that the workers were not on the e-commerce company's property, further questioning the legality and ethics of the reported flooding.

"This alleged action follows recent labor strikes by Amazon workers demanding better pay and working conditions. This tactic to intimate workers is degrading and unlawful," a netizen on X.

"Wild how crazy things are getting. I remember when having a job. Was a privilege and worth being proud of," another wrote.

"Are they on Amazon's property? If so they have no legitimate complaint. I don't know the details of the strike but I do know the difference between private and public property," one more on X.

On the other hand, some users speculated that the flooding might not have been orchestrated by the e-commerce company but by a third party. A segment of social media commentary highlighted that e-commerce company workers earn above the average annual salary in the United States.

"My understanding they are third party hires. Not hired by Amazon," a user on X commented.

"As we cry for workers; the average Amazon worker makes $74,619, or $36 per hour. the Average American makes $63,795 or $31 per hour," one more wrote on X.

"Wow. Corporate greed at its finest," another wrote.

As of now, the e-commerce giant has not responded to the allegations or the backlash on social media.

---

More about ongoing workers' strike against Amazon

The e-commerce giant (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

On Thursday morning, December 19, 2024, amid the e-commerce giant workers' strike, Georgia-based delivery worker Thomas Hickman told CNN that they need "better working conditions."

"The pay needs to be better. The health insurance needs to be better. We need better working conditions. If we do have 400-plus packages, we need someone to be a helper with us, to ride with us," Hickman said.

The strike involved workers from seven cities across the United States, including major hubs like New York, Atlanta, and San Francisco, with New York workers playing a prominent role.

According to The Guardian, the union committee had previously set a deadline of December 15, 2024, for the e-commerce giant to address their demands. After the deadline passed without resolution, workers voted to proceed with the strike, citing the company's failure to pay living wages and reports of pushing employees to their physical and mental limits despite its significant profits.

In response to Thursday's events, the strike gained further momentum, with additional workers joining forces on Saturday, December 21, 2024, to amplify their demands and increase the strike's impact.

As a result of the ongoing strike, package deliveries across the United States may experience delays. Addressing this concern, Teamsters President Sean O'Brien remarked that customers should direct their frustrations at the e-commerce giant, holding it accountable for the disruptions.

"If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon's insatiable greed. We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members. They ignored it," O'Brien said in a statement on Thursday.

A spokesperson for the e-commerce giant, Kelly Nantel, told CNN that the teamsters do not represent any employee of the e-commerce giant and suggested that it is all a PR role.