Amazon workers gear up for more strikes
Further strike dates have been announced at two of Amazon’s sites, just days after GMB members at the company applied for mandatory recognition at Amazon to the Central Arbitration Committee.
Workers will down tools at the company’s Coventry fulfilment centre as well as at Amazon’s new flagship HQ in Birmingham, a £500m site that only opened its doors in October.
Strike action will take place in Coventry on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 March and in Birmingham on Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 March.
Rachel Fagan, GMB Organiser, said: “Fresh strike action will be a huge blow to Amazon bosses, just days after workers made their bid for union recognition. Now two Amazon sites will take strike action this spring to force the company to listen to workers.
“Amazon bosses may have hoped this campaign would fade away, but instead union membership at Amazon has exploded as more and more workers are standing up to demand Amazon listens. When Amazon are ready to listen, the message they’ll hear is simple; £15 an hour and union rights for UK Amazon workers.”
A spokesperson from Amazon, commented: “We regularly review our pay to ensure we offer competitive wages and benefits. By April, 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.”
