Amazon Facing Global Strike This Black Friday

Amazon workers across 30 countries will take part to strikes and protests on Black Friday, in what promises to be the largest such action in Amazon’s history.

Originally a colloquial term to refer to the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, Black Friday is now a global phenomenon. It signals the beginning of the Christmas shopping season with large discounts and offers, which makes it one of the busiest days of the year for retailers – including e-commerce giant Amazon.

However, this Black Friday promises to be chaotic as well as busy, with more than 1,000 Amazon workers at the Coventry warehouse expected to walk out – plus more strikes and other protests across 30 different countries.

Workers at the UK centre have been long protesting for better working conditions as well as for a pay rise. In October, Amazon announced an increase of warehouse workers’ minimum starting pay rise £11 per hour to £11.80, and then a further increase to £12.30 by April 2024.

“We have some of the most talented colleagues around, and we’re proud to offer them competitive wages and benefits, as well as fantastic opportunities for career development, all in a safe and modern work environment,” said John Boumphrey, Amazon UK Country Manager.

“These are just some of the reasons people want to work at Amazon – whether it’s their first job, a seasonal role or an opportunity for them to advance their career.”

‘Poverty pay’

General trade union GMB argue that the increase is not nearly enough in the face of to the company’s huge profits and rising living costs. GMD renewed calls for an increase to a minimum of £15 per hour.

Amanda Gearing, GMB Organiser, said, “Amazon has lost nearly thirty days to strike action in the UK this year alone. Despite that, Amazon bosses are desperate to claim it will be business as usual for Amazon and Amazon customers this Black Friday.

“The truth is that this Black Friday will see the largest day of industrial disruption in Amazon’s thirty-year history. Coventry is the beating heart of Amazon’s distribution network; strike action on Black Friday will ripple throughout the company’s UK logistics.”

“With industrial action escalating and workers joining strike action in Europe and the USA, it’s clear that Coventry workers are inspiring Amazon workers worldwide to fight for their share of company profits. As a union representing thousands of Amazon workers, we can no longer in good faith watch as our members walk into unsafe workplaces and endure poverty pay.

“This is an unprecedented and historic moment, with low paid workers taking on one of the world’s most powerful corporations”.

The cross-border strike action was announced at the end of October, following the first ever ‘Make Amazon Pay’ summit, which took place in Manchester on 27-28 October.

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