Amazon Drivers Walk Off The Job In Avenel To Protest Wage Cuts

AVENEL, NJ — A group of Amazon Flex drivers walked off the job Saturday morning in Avenel to show their opposition to recent wage cuts.

Fifteen drivers took part in the walkout after Amazon cut wages from $38 per two-hour delivery block to $34 per block, according to a news release about the protest. Video of the demonstration showed the workers standing along a road, chanting, and holding signs and a giant cut-out head of famed Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

"This wage cut comes as gas prices continue to rise across the country, with prices surpassing $5/gallon in New Jersey," the news release said.

The workers are also demanding a minimum $5 tip per delivery, double pay for deliveries over 18 miles, and an end to punitive measures for traffic delays outside workers’ control, according to the news release.

“Amazon forces us to drive longer distances to make deliveries as they cut our pay and gas prices have gone up," Lorena, an Amazon Flex driver, said in the news release. "We can’t survive like this. We demand Amazon raise our pay and treat us with respect and dignity.”

Amazon did not immediately respond Saturday afternoon to a request for comment.