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This Black Friday, Amazon workers in more than 30 countries, spanning the US, UK, Spain, Germany, India, and Japan, are staging a global walkout, marking the largest day of industrial disruption in Amazon’s thirty-year history, with strikes echoing across Europe and the USA.
Launched at the Make Amazon Pay Summit in Manchester, UK, on 27 October, the campaign, co-convened by UNI Global Union and Progressive International, brings together more than 80 organisations and over 400 politicians worldwide.
In the UK, more than 1,000 Amazon workers in Coventry are preparing for a significant walkout on Black Friday, marking the 28th day of industrial action at the facility this year. The GMB union, which represents Coventry workers, has criticised Amazon’s latest pay offer and is calling for a bigger rise to £15 an hour.
Amazon’s response emphasises competitive pay, comprehensive benefits and a safe working environment. The GMB and other global unions, including the Teamsters in the US and Filcams CGIL in Italy, continue to put pressure on Amazon over its labour practices.
In Spain, the Confederación Sindical de Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) has called on 20,000 Amazon warehouse and delivery workers to strike for one hour during each shift starting on Cyber Monday, 27 November. The union cites concerns about lack of protection from occupational hazards, problems with human resources and wages that do not reflect the volume of work.
The CCOO accuses Amazon of failing to recognise work-related health problems and alleges shortcomings in the accident management system. Amazon refutes these claims, stating that its teams in Spain work in a modern and safe environment with competitive salaries and benefits.
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Photo © Copyright Hugh Venables and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence