Workers at seven Amazon facilities in the US have quit their jobs in the middle of the holiday season. From New York to California, Amazon workers collected picket signs and demonstrated in front of seven Amazon warehouses in four states: “This is what we are going to do.” We are going to fight until we get what we deserve,” said one striking worker. The Teamsters union organized workers at those facilities, saying the company had missed a deadline to negotiate a contract. “We live in one of the most expensive cities in the country,” said one striking worker. “We want to be able to afford to live here.” The strike has no impact on the more than 15 Amazon warehouses in Massachusetts. However, Teamsters demonstrated outside an Amazon facility in Johnston, Rhode Island, where they said they would try to convince workers to join their union. “You know, UPS does the exact same job, but they get paid twice as much,” said Teamsters organizer Corey Levesque. “We need better wages, better working conditions in facilities and better retirement for these Amazon workers.” Amazon officials said many of the striking drivers don’t even work for them directly, but rather for third-party contractors. The company said the strikers represent only a tiny fraction of its 800,000 workers in the United States. Amazon therefore insists that holiday deliveries will not be affected. However, an expert said the timing of the strike was no coincidence. “Typically, I think unions are well-advised to find opportune moments to take action against the company itself,” said Emory economics and finance professor Tom Smith. So far, the Teamsters have not said how many workers are taking part in the strike or how long it will last.