Amazon workers at new Birmingham site on strike weeks after opening
It's the third Amazon workplace facing industrial action.
Last updated 25th Jan 2024
Workers at the Birmingham warehouse will down tools today, the anniversary of the first ever official strike action at a UK Amazon warehouse.
GMB union has announced that workers at Amazon’s new Sutton Coldfield site have voted to join ongoing strike action at the company.
Amazon’s new £500 million Birmingham fulfilment centre opened it’s doors at the end of 2023 and will be the third Amazon workplace to face strike action.
Amazon faced nearly 30 days of strike action in the last twelve months, with more than 1,000 workers downing tools to mark the retail giant’s Black Friday event in November.
Some workers at the site told us, they feel over-worked and undervalued - just weeks into the job.
One told us - he feels like "just another number" to the company.
"Trying to book a shift change, trying to book annual leave... there's no results.
"We go there, get everything done, and go home"
Rachel Fagan, GMB Organiser, said: “The industrial chaos Amazon faces isn’t going to disappear; it’s growing every day.
“For workers to down tools at Amazon’s new Birmingham HQ, just weeks after it opened it’s doors, goes to show how furious Amazon workers in the UK are.
“One year on from the first strike day the message from GMB members at Amazon is the same; recognise our union and end poverty pay”.
Amazon has responded saying, customers will experience zero disruption from today's strike.
A spokesperson for Amazon said: "Just 19 GMB members out of our 2,000 Sutton Coldfield fulfilment centre colleagues have voted in favour of industrial action. It will cause zero disruption for our customers.
"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.”