Coventry Amazon workers take action leading up to Black Friday

Four more days of industrial action at the Coventry site will bring the total to almost 30 days lost to strikes.

Author: Lia DesaiPublished 7th Nov 2023

Around 1000 Amazon workers at the Coventry site are launching a series of strikes this month, in a long-running dispute over pay.

Members of the GMB union will walk out for three days (7, 8, 9 November) and again on 24 November - Black Friday.

Workers voted to strike after criticising a pay offer said to be worth £1 an hour.

GMB is calling for a pay increase of £15 an hour, which they believe is an acceptable living wage.

The Union claims the online giant will face serious disruptions on one of their busiest shopping days of the year, as workers are set to take industrial action in Europe and the USA too.

Rachel Fagan, GMB organiser, said: "This is an unprecedented and historic moment with low-paid workers taking on one of the world's most powerful corporations. This is our members' response to the failure of Amazon bosses to listen.

"Coventry is the beating heart of Amazon's distribution network; strike action this week and on Black Friday will ripple throughout the company's UK logistics. As Black Friday looms, Amazon must urgently reconsider their priorities or risk strike action causing widespread disruption to customers and the public."

An Amazon spokesperson said: "We regularly review our pay to ensure we offer competitive wages and benefits. By April 2024, 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."

In regard to Black Friday, they added: "There will be no disruption to customers. Our Coventry site does not directly serve customer orders."

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