GMB slams ‘dangerous’ Amazon warehouses as Prime Day 2021 launches

As Prime Day 2021 kicks off today, the GMB union has hit out at “the inhumanity of working conditions at Amazon warehouses”.

GMB’s analysis of ambulance call outs to Amazon facilities reveals an increase before Prime Day, Black Friday and Christmas.

It also says that its investigations into working conditions have revealed people being knocked unconscious, breaking bones, and having to call ambulances due to chest pains and breathing problems.

Pregnant workers, meanwhile, have been forced to stand for hours on end, it claims.

Get your click-fingers ready for 👉 Prime Day deals 👈 starting tomorrow, June 21 & 22! Which finger exercise will you be warming up with this #PrimeDay?
— Amazon (@amazon) June 20, 2021

To coincide with Prime Day 2021, GMB has launched a digital hub for its Amazon members to report incidents and safety concerns.

Mick Rix, GMB National Officer, says: “We know Amazon fulfilment centres are dangerous, stressful places to work at the best of times.”

“In the run up to key sales events like Prime Day, the inhumanity of working conditions at Amazon warehouses goes into overdrive. Workers are expected to operate like robots gone haywire, picking and packing at a furious rate to meet completely unrealistic targets.”

He concludes: “It’s time for the richest company in the world to invest in safety, sit down with GMB and make sure staff work in a safe environment.”

An Amazon spokesperson told RTIH: “Amazon is a safe place to work. Yet again, our critics seem determined to paint a false picture of what it’s like to work for us. They repeat the same sensationalised allegations time and time again.”

Changing dates

Prime Day 2021 will be held on 21st and 22nd June.

Last year, the event took place in October.

It is typically held in mid-July, but was postponed amid the coronavirus outbreak as Amazon grappled with the unenviable task of handling both a surge in online orders and various rules designed to keep its warehouse workers safe.