Amazon UK Workers Plan More Strikes in April
Amazon workers in the UK are ready to go on strike again next month, according to a message released by the GMB union.
Don’t Miss
- Do you need a business bank account for your online business? Have a look at our review of the five best bank accounts for sellers, some of which are free with no minimum balance or deposits.
- Boost your social media engagement with Publer. Learn how you can save time writing engaging content faster with AI. [sponsored]
- eBay to compete with sellers now!
- New stamp prices and fee increases are coming from USPS on July 9.
- SMALL BUSINESS WEEK SPECIAL: Three tips for SMB ecommerce success in 2023.
GMB strikes at Amazon are set to escalate as 560 members in Coventry announced six further days of walkouts on the 16th – 18th and 21st – 23rd of April.
Meanwhile, the union said that hundreds of GMB members will begin fresh ballots for industrial action at five further fulfillment centers across the Midlands at:
- Mansfield in Nottinghamshire
- Coalville in Leicestershire
- Kegworth in Leicestershire
- Rugeley in Staffordshire
- Rugby in Warwickshire
The ballots — which opened today and will run for several weeks — ask GMB members if they are willing to strike over a 50p pay rise offered by Amazon management.
Amazon Coventry has been the focal point of three months of industrial action by GMB after they made history by staging the first-ever Amazon strike in the UK.
“Industrial action is growing and this could fast become a summer of strike chaos Amazon,” said Amanda Gearing, GMB Senior Organizer.
“Three months ago Amazon told our members there was no money left for pay rises, yet through pressure, campaigning and strike action we’ve forced Amazon to sit up and take notice.
“Six further days of strike action in Coventry is a clear statement from our members they are worth more; they will not accept a pay rise of pennies from one of the world’s wealthiest corporations.
“With workers at five further sites starting ballots for industrial action this month, it’s clear Amazon need to urgently get serious and talk pay with GMB now.”
Amazon Workers Fight Cost-Of-Living Crisis
Amazon has over 75,000 workers in the UK, growing its permanent workforce by 40,000 workers in the past 3 years alone.
In a statement to Reuters, the company said, “We regularly review our pay to ensure we offer competitive wages, and we recently announced another increase for our UK teams.”
But with a cost-of-living crisis continuing to hang over many UK workers as they are struggling to make ends meet, unions are increasingly asking workers to participate in strikes.
However, it’s a double-edged sword, as Amazon is also looking to reduce its workforce and transition to more automated operations. There has to be a balance, but it appears Amazon management and workers in the UK are not on the same page.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
We do not sell your information.
You can unsubscribe at any time.
Head over to our Facebook Group for Small Business Marketplace Sellers and interact with us and other small business owners. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn to stay up to date with relevant news and business insights for your online business.
Richard Meldner
Richard is co-founder of eSeller365. He has over 17 years of experience on eBay which includes tens of thousands of sales to buyers in over 100 countries and even has experience with eBay’s VeRO program enforcing intellectual property rights for a former employer. And for about two years Richard sold products on Amazon using Amazon FBA in the US.
To “relax” from the daily business grind, for a few weekends a year, he also works for IMSA as a professional race official.