Amazon workers in Coventry to hold further strike action
More than 350 staff at the West Midland fulfilment centre will walk out on 28 February, 2 March and from 13 to 17 March
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Workers at Amazon have announced that a further seven days of strike action are set to take place at the company’s Coventry warehouse.
More than 350 staff at the West Midland fulfilment centre will walk out on 28 February, 2 March and from 13 to 17 March.
It comes as the GMB union is calling for Amazon to pay workers £15 per hour to help with the rising cost of living.
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 8 pence 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.”
An Amazon spokesperson said: “A tiny proportion of our workforce is involved. 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.
“We appreciate the great work our teams do throughout the year and we’re proud to offer competitive pay which starts at a minimum of between £10.50 and £11.45 per hour, depending on location. This represents a 29 per cent increase in the minimum hourly wage paid to Amazon employees since 2018.”
They added: “Employees are also offered comprehensive benefits that are worth thousands more—including private medical insurance, life assurance, subsidised meals and an employee discount, to name a few.”
Last month, the GMB union organised a strike for around 300 Amazon warehouse employees at the Coventry depot, the first Amazon strike to be held in the UK.
At the time, GMB stated that it could set further strike dates over the summer, as it argues the “competitive” pay the retailer offers lags behind the rates offered for warehouse workers at other companies such as supermarket chain Aldi.
