Amazon faces strikes from today during Prime Week

The GMB Union says industrial action this week will have a huge impact during one of Amazon’s busiest weeks of the year.

THe GMB says almost 900 workers are thought to be joining the strike action and will bring the total strike days at the retail giant to 22.

GMB Senior Organiser, Rachel Fagan, said:

“This strike action will have a huge impact on Amazon’s Prime Week operation.

“It goes to show that even Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, is nothing without its workers.

“GMB members in Coventry have time and time again shown that this fight will only end with £15 an hour and union rights.

“Prime Week can see Amazon rake in as much as £2 billion in sales.

“It’s grotesque that in this context they’re denying low paid workers here in the UK the right to a wage that pays the bills.

“When our members are standing on the picket line in Coventry next month they’ll have a simple message for the company; you can’t get human beings on the cheap.”

However, Amazon says the industrial action will not disrupt customers. A spokesperson said: "There will be no disruption to customers. Our Coventry site does not directly serve customer orders.”

“We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, opportunities for career growth, all while working in a safe, modern, work environment. At Amazon, these benefits and opportunities come with the job, as does the ability to communicate directly with the leadership of the company.”

Amazon has given us the following information in light of the strike action:

• The minimum starting pay for Amazon employees is between £11 and £12 p/h, depending on location.

• This means Amazon has invested over £125M on pay rises for UK hourly paid workers in less than a year.

• We regularly review and increase Amazon hourly employee wages – we always have.

• Our pay is well above the National Living Wage (£10.42 p/h)

• Our pay is also above the Real Living Wage - the UK the rate is £10.90 and £11.95 in London

• Full-time, part-time and seasonal frontline employees received an additional one-time special payment of up to £500 at Christmas as an extra thank you.

• This is alongside the excellent benefits we offer including private medical insurance, life assurance, subsidised meals and an employee discount on Amazon.

• We also provide excellent career development opportunities, including Career Choice, where Amazon will pay 95% of an employee’s tuition fees to help them fulfil their work ambitions.Amazon picket line

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