Amazon strike action ‘to cost company more than £2m’

A history-making strike by Amazon workers in Coventry could cost the company more than £2m, according to the GMB Union.

Up to 400 workers at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse will walk out today on day three of the strike – the first ever the company has faced in the UK.

Workers are angry at an enforced pay rise of 50 pence per hour.

Amazon Coventry workers will also walk out for five consecutive days from 13 to 17 March and GMB estimates that the combined cost of the eight days of industrial action could be more than £2m.

Amanda Gearing, GMB senior organiser, said: “The public and Amazon customers will be asking themselves why one of the world most profitable companies is willing to take a big financial hit instead of resolving this dispute.

“All these low-paid workers want is a £4.50 rise for low paid workers. Instead, Amazon’s refusal to negotiate is hitting shareholders in the pocket.

“Morale on the picket line in January was sky high and the support we’ve had from here in Coventry and around the world has kept that going ever since.

“GMB’s message to Amazon is simple; recognise your workers union, pay £15 now and make Amazon safe for our members.”

An Amazon spokesperson said: “These figures are a complete nonsense – only a tiny proportion of employees have been involved and there’s been no operational or customer impact.”

Amazon also added: “We’ve been serving our customers in the UK for over 20 years now, and in that time we’ve built an extensive UK network.

“A tiny proportion of our UK employees are involved in this week’s activity, and the site at Coventry has remained fully operational at all times.

“Just look at the organiser’s own photos on social media to show how few people are actually involved.”