Tilbury Amazon workers stage walkout in pay dispute
Staff are angry after being offered a pay rise of just 35p an hour
Workers at an Amazon warehouse in Essex have staged a protest in a dispute over pay.
The GMB union said hundreds of employees in Tilbury stopped work on Thursday after being given a pay rise of 35p an hour.
The union said workers are seeking a £2-an-hour rise to better match the demands of their job and cope with the cost-of-living crisis.
Steve Garelick, GMB regional organiser, said: "Amazon is one of the most profitable companies on the planet. With household costs spiralling, the least they can do is offer decent pay.
"Amazon continues to reject working with trade unions to deliver better working conditions and fair pay. Their repeated use of short-term contracts is designed to undermine workers' rights.
"The image the company likes to project, and the reality for their workers, could not be more different. They need to drastically improve pay and working conditions."
An Amazon spokesman said: "Starting pay for Amazon employees will be increasing to a minimum of between £10.50 and £11.45 per hour, depending on location.
"This is for all full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary roles in the UK.
"In addition to this competitive pay, employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package that includes private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, subsidised meals and an employee discount among others, which combined are worth thousands annually, as well as a company pension plan."