Coventry Amazon workers ‘ready to take strike action’
Workers at an Amazon warehouse are prepared to take industrial action over pay, a union says.
GMB Union says that more than 300 workers at the site have taken part in a consultative ballot, with 97%saying they were ready to walk out.
The union says that Amazon workers across the UK have staged informal protests in anger at a pay offer of between one and three per cent.
GMB says it will now meet with members at Amazon Coventry to discuss next steps, including a potential formal strike ballot.
Amanda Gearing, GMB senior organiser, said: “Amazon workers are rightly furious and they are ready to walk out.
“They’re being offered 35p an hour during the worst cost of living crisis in a generation – and that’s from a company worth more than £1 trillion.
“If Amazon wants to keep its empire running, it needs to get round the table with GMB to improve the pay and conditions of workers.”
Amazon said: “Starting pay for Amazon employees has increased to a minimum of between £10.50 and £11.45 an hour, depending on location.
“This represents a 29% increase in the minimum hourly wage paid to Amazon associates since 2018.
“On top of this, employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package that includes private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, subsidised meals, an employee discount and more, which combined are worth thousands of pounds annually, as well as a company pension plan.”
