Amazon workers vote to continue pay strikes for another six months

Amazon workers have voted to continue their campaign of industrial action for another six months in a dispute over pay.

The GMB said its members based at the company’s site in Coventry backed more strikes by 99% on a turnout of 54%.

Almost 800 Amazon Coventry workers are on strike today, with nearly 500 joining the picket line – the 19th day of industrial action.

The workers are also in Parliament to meet MPs today, including members of the Shadow Cabinet. Government Ministers, including Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, have been invited.

Amanda Gearing, GMB senior organiser, said: “The vote for six more months of strike action at Amazon Coventry shows these workers are in for the long haul.

“Almost 500 people on the picket line is incredible.

“These workers are angry, they know their rights and they will not go away.”

Last week, the union withdraw its bid for recognition at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse, accusing the shopping giant of “dirty tricks”.

The union believed it had surpassed the number of members needed to secure recognition at the site – but claimed that Amazon had taken on 1,000 extra staff to scupper the bid.

But Amazon said that any hiring that had taken place at the site was the result of normal business requirements.

A spokesperson said: “At Amazon, we regularly recruit new team members, across the country and across the year, providing great new career opportunities for thousands of people and to meet customer demand. This year is no different.”