Rock Tavern, N.Y. – September 30, 2026 -- Amazon warehouse workers at the SWF1 facility in Rock Tavern, New York, launched an unfair labor practice strike, escalating a monthslong dispute over workplace safety that management has failed to resolve.
Workers cite dangerous conveyor speeds and untrained reassignments
Employees say Amazon's conveyor belt speeds create hazardous conditions, forcing staff to sort items amid aisles cluttered with packages and dodge falling parcels. The company's labor sharing policy reclassifies workers into new departments without adequate training, according to strikers, while unfair productivity write-ups compound the pressure on the floor.
Digital safety reports allegedly deleted by management
Workers say they have repeatedly flagged safety concerns through Amazon's internal Voice of the Associate board, only to have their messages removed rather than addressed. "My co-workers and I are constantly telling Amazon about our safety concerns, but we are always ignored and told that we don't know what we are talking about," said Javier Rivera, a warehouse worker at SWF1.
Teamsters-backed strike puts pressure on facility operations
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents more than 1.3 million workers across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, is backing the picket line at SWF1. Worker Scott Spath said staff are no longer waiting for Amazon to act on the reported hazards. Strikers say the walkout will continue until Amazon ends what they characterize as unlawful labor practices at the facility.