More than 350 staff at Amazon’s West Midland fulfilment centre will walk out on 28 February, 02 March and from 13 to 17 March, as part of on-going industrial action over pay.
Workers at the Coventry site made history on 25 January as they became the first Amazon workers in the UK to strike, in their fight for £15 per hour. Members of the GMB Union had previously staged an informal stoppage when they were told they would receive a pay rise of 50p an hour taking the basic rate to £10.50.
Amanda Gearing, GMB Senior Organiser, said: “This unprecedented week-long strike shows the anger among Amazon workers in Coventry. They work for one of the richest companies in the world, yet they have to work round the clock to keep themselves afloat.
“It’s sickening that Amazon workers in Coventry will earn just 8p above the NMW in April 2023. Amazon bosses can stop this industrial action by doing the right thing and negotiating a proper pay rise with workers.”
Deliveries of Amazon orders are not expected to be impacted as the Coventry warehouse provides stock to other Amazon fulfilment centres rather than customers.
The US ecommerce firm told The Telegraph that the strike only involved “a tiny proportion of our workforce”.
“In fact, according to the verified figures, only a fraction of 1% of our UK employees voted in the ballot – and that includes those who voted against industrial action,” an Amazon spokesperson said.
The company stressed: “Employees are offered comprehensive benefits that are worth thousands more— including private medical insurance, life assurance, subsidised meals and an employee discount, to name a few.”
It was announced earlier this month that Amazon plan to sublet some of its unused warehouse space, as the ecommerce giant continues to deal with the “uncertain economy”. It is also set to close three UK distribution centres in Hemel Hempstead, Doncaster and Gourock, in the west of Scotland, with 1,200 staff to be offered roles at other Amazon locations. This followed news that 18,000 jobs will be cut this year across its global operation.
