Bleak Friday: Amazon faces pay related worker demos in London and across Europe and the USA
Amazon is braced for strikes and demos across the UK, Europe and the USA today in what is being pitched as the biggest day of action in the company’s 30-year history.
To coincide with Black Friday, in the UK more than 1,000 workers at the US e-commerce giant’s Coventry warehouse will down tools in a dispute over pay and conditions - the 28th day of action in the dispute.
Meanwhile in London, a protest will take outside Amazon’s UK headquarters at 12pm.
Amanda Gearing, GMB Organiser, says: “Today will go down in history as a turning point in Amazon’s history. Working people that make its business model possible stand up to demand their share of the company’s enormous wealth.”
“Despite that, Amazon bosses are desperate to claim it will be business as usual for Amazon and their customers this Black Friday. The truth is that today will see the largest day of industrial disruption in its 30-year history.”
“With industrial action escalating and workers joining action in Europe and the USA, it's clear this strike is inspiring Amazon workers worldwide to fight to force the company to change its ways.”
An Amazon UK spokesperson told RTIH that there would be no Black Friday related disruption to customers.
They added: “We regularly review our pay to ensure we offer competitive wages and benefits. By April 2024, our minimum starting pay will have increased to £12.30 and £13 per hour depending on location, that’s a 20% increase over two years and 50% since 2018.”
“We also work hard to provide great benefits, a positive work environment and excellent career opportunities. These are just some of the reasons people want to come and work at Amazon, whether it’s their first job, a seasonal role or an opportunity for them to advance their career.”
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