Source: AFP
Amazon has been hit by strikes at locations in Britain, Germany and Italy during its annual Black Friday shopping spree as workers demand higher wages and better working conditions.
The UNI Global Union said Amazon will face strikes and protests in more than 30 countries around the world, including the United States, as part of a “Make Amazon Pay” campaign.
“Workers know that it doesn’t matter what country you’re in or what your job title is. We’re all united in the fight for higher wages, an end to unreasonable quotas and a voice at work,” said Christy Hoffman. general secretary of UNI Global Union.
“That’s why workers in Coventry are on strike, and that’s why workers around the world are resisting doing Amazon Pay,” Hoffman said.
Black Friday, held the day after Thanksgiving in the US, is increasingly being copied in Europe and beyond, with stores offering deep discounts to kick-start holiday gift shopping.
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More than 1,000 workers went on strike at an Amazon center in Coventry, England, which employs 2,300 people and supplies other warehouses, said Stuart Richards, a spokesman for the GMB union.
In Germany, industrial action called by Union Verdi began Friday night, affecting five of the US e-commerce giant’s 20 logistics sites in Europe’s biggest economy.
Amazon said the strikes in the UK and Germany would have no effect on customers.
Workers at Amazon’s center in Piacenza, near Milan, took part in the strike, with “a very high participation rate,” said Roberto Brambilla of the Filcams Cgil union.
“The mood music is blowing for Amazon at this important time, as industrial action over pay and conditions for warehouse staff could threaten performance,” said Sophie Lund-Yates, chief equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.
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This “will be something that will be closely watched by investors,” he added.
‘Turning point’
In Britain, the GMB union said Amazon refused to talk to workers.
“The pressure that GMB members have put on the company has led to Amazon offering pay rises across the board, but what they are offering is still a long way from what workers want,” Richards said.
The workers want their pay to rise from £12 ($15) an hour currently to £15 an hour.
An Amazon UK spokesperson said the company regularly reviews its pay “to ensure we offer competitive wages and benefits”.
It said starting pay in the UK would rise to between £12.30 and £13 an hour, depending on location, from April — a 20 per cent rise over two years and 50 per cent from 2018.
In Germany, Amazon said workers already had “fair wages and good fringe benefits.”
Starting wages are from 14 euros ($15.30) and up per hour, the company said, higher than the 12 euro minimum wage in Germany.
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However, Verdi is pushing for the company to recognize the regional collective agreements of the retail and mail order sector.
In Italy, the union complained about “unacceptable” wage increases as well as Amazon’s failure to increase the amount of meal vouchers and a lack of attention to health issues, among other reasons.
“Today will be a turning point in Amazon’s history,” said GMB official Amanda Gearing.
“With industrial action escalating and workers taking part in strike action in Europe and the US, it’s clear that this strike is inspiring Amazon workers around the world to fight to force the company to change its ways,” said Gearing.
Source: AFP