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The GMB Union has invited secretary of state for business and trade, Kemi Badenoch MP, to meet striking Amazon workers before they head to parliament today (14 June).
Workers from the retail giant’s fulfilment centre in Coventry have met MPs, including members of the shadow cabinet, in their fight to become the first workers in the UK to win trade union recognition at the e-commerce giant.
This comes as more than 800 Amazon Coventry workers went on strike yesterday (Tuesday 13 June) and today, marking their 18th and 19th day of industrial action in a dispute over pay.
Meanwhile, GMB senior organiser Amanda Gearing gave evidence about Amazon workers’ struggle to the Human Rights hearing into human rights work.
The union was also forced to withdraw its bid for recognition at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse, accusing the shopping giant of “dirty tricks”.
GMB claimed it had surpassed the number of members needed to secure recognition at the site, but that Amazon had taken on 1,000 extra staff to scupper the bid.
This week, the union released figures showing taxpayer cash spent on Amazon rocketed to a record-breaking £222m last year.
Gearing said: “Amazon are raking in eye watering sums of cash from the public purse, whilst treating UK workers with disdain. It’s time for the Government to get off the fence on Amazon funding.
“If this amount of taxpayer cash is spent on a private company, the contract must come with guarantees on worker pay, health and safety and their right to be represented by a formally recognised trade union.”
She added: “Our members have invited the Government’s top business official to hear from them first hand why it’s time for the Government to get off the fence.”
A spokesperson for Amazon said: “We respect our employees’ rights to join, or not to join, a union. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, opportunities for career growth, all while working in a safe, modern, work environment.
“At Amazon, these benefits and opportunities come with the job, as does the ability to communicate directly with the leadership of the company.”
