A one-day Teamsters strike outside an Amazon facility in Riverside, California, ended with three people in the hospital, including a worker for an Amazon contractor who had no part in the dispute. This has renewed scrutiny of the violent tactics’ unions use to organize Amazon and other logistics companies.

What happened in Riverside

The confrontation reportedly started over union recognition. The union said Amazon workers had signed support cards and demanded that Amazon bargain with it, even though the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) had not certified the union. When Amazon refused to bargain, the Teamsters accused Amazon of an unfair labor practice and began a one-day strike.

Picketers, many of whom were not Amazon employees, blocked vehicles from entering and leaving the site. Amazon contacted the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department several times throughout the day. A motorcyclist working for an Amazon contractor tried to get around the blockade, knocked down two protesters, and crashed. After crashing, the motorcyclist was reportedly beaten as he lay on the ground. All three were hospitalized.

Who bears responsibility?

Critics argue that blocking workers from reaching their jobs increased the risk of confrontation and injury, undercutting the union’s message of worker safety. The union sees itself as the victim and says Amazon invited this conflict by refusing to bargain with it.

The rule at the center of the dispute

At the heart of the union’s demand is Cemex, a 2023 National Labor Relations Board decision. It says that if an employer refuses to recognize a union based on signed support cards, it must quickly request an election, or the NLRB can order it to bargain. The Teamsters point to Cemex as the reason Amazon must bargain with them. With Republicans now holding a 3-1 majority on the Board, critics argue that the decision should be reversed.

Contractors bear the consequences

A dispute with Amazon can quickly become a problem for independent businesses working around it. The injured motorcyclist worked for a separate contractor firm, yet he was drawn into a clash while trying to get around the blockade.

Contractors should be able to access a facility and carry out their work without being put at risk by someone else’s labor dispute.

The consequences also reach customers counting on timely service. Blockades delay drivers and disrupt deliveries, making it harder for operators to meet commitments and maintain customer trust.

Stay ahead of what’s next

The Riverside strike shows how labor disputes can put independent businesses at risk. Contractors’ safety, access to facilities, and ability to meet customer commitments should not be casualties of those conflicts. SCI will continue tracking these disputes and the policies behind them, reporting on what they mean for your business.

Source:

The Wall Street Journal, “The Teamsters Return to Ugly Type” by The Editorial Board, September 6, 2026