Could the Amazon strike (+ possible government shutdown) impact NC mail before the holidays?
As the holidays approach, an ongoing strike and looming government shutdown could affect whether customers get their packages on time.
Thousands of Amazon workers who are members of the Teamsters union began a strike 6 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 at several facilities in four states: New York, Georgia, California and Illinois, the union shared in a press release.
There are more than a dozen Amazon facilities in North Carolina, according to global eCommerce & Amazon partner AMZ Prep, including fulfillment and distribution centers in Charlotte, Durham, Garner, Smithfield and Huntersville. (As of Thursday afternoon, none have joined the picket line.)
The news comes as the U.S. government faces a potential shutdown, since lawmakers cannot reach an agreement to keep funding available, USA Today reported. Current funding runs out end of day Friday, Dec. 20, meaning many federal employees would be forced to work without pay if lawmakers cannot come to an agreement.
If the Amazon strike continues and the government gets shut down, how would that impact mail delivery in these last few days of the holiday season? Here’s what to know.
How would a government shutdown impact mail delivery?
A government shutdown would not affect the U.S. Postal Service, meaning mail delivery would continue and USPS post offices would remain open, USPS has previously confirmed.
“That’s because the USPS isn’t funded by the federal government, nor does it receive tax dollars,” NerdWallet says. “Its revenue comes from selling products such as stamps and packaging, as well as its shipping and delivery services.”
The shutdown also wouldn’t have any impact on FedEx or the United Parcel Service (UPS), since neither are operated by the government.
The Observer reached out to USPS for comment on Thursday, Dec. 19, but had not heard back as of publication time.
How would the Amazon strike impact package delivery?
Amazon told CNN the strike will not affect holiday operations, but the Teamsters said if delays happen, Amazon is to blame.
“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,” Teamsters general president Sean M. O’Brien said in a statement.
But Amazon refuted the union’s claims.
“For more than a year now, the Teamsters have continued to intentionally mislead the public — claiming that they represent ‘thousands of Amazon employees and drivers,’” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel told NBC News. “They don’t, and this is another attempt to push a false narrative.”
What should you do if your Amazon package is delayed?
If your package is delayed, Amazon says you should:
Check your order status: Go to “Your Orders” and select “Track package” to access the progress tracker for your order.
Check your email: If there have been unexpected delays you’ll normally be notified by Amazon, the third-party seller or the carrier in charge of your delivery.
Contact the carrier: Check who is delivering your package in “Your Orders,” then contact them for an update using the Carrier Contact Information.
Wait 48 hours: Then contact Amazon or the third-party seller.
