WORKERS at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse have become the first in Britain to take formal industrial action, with the GMB Union adding any strike days were ‘likely to take place in the new year.
The GMB said hundreds of workers voted to stage the walkout over the company’s 50 pence per hour pay offer, with 63 per cent turning out to the ballot.
The ballot closed last Friday (December 16) with a majority of over 98 per cent of the 284 union members at the site voting for the strike.
The union claimed Amazon UK Services Limited reported it paid just £10.8million in tax in 2021, despite recording a pre-tax profit of £204 million.
GMB senior organiser Amanda Gearing said the Coventry workers had ‘made history.’
She added: “They should be applauded for their grit and determination – fighting for what’s right in the face of an appallingly hostile environment.
“The fact they are being forced to go on strike to win a decent rate of pay from one of the world’s most valuable companies should be a badge of shame for Amazon.
“Amazon can afford to do better. It’s not too late to avoid strike action – get round the table with GMB to improve the pay and conditions of workers.”
Coventry North West MP Taiwo Owatemi said she was supporting the workers, adding ‘the pay offer made by Amazon this summer was an insult.’
“During a national cost-of-living crisis, its hard-working staff deserve so much better.”
An Amazon spokesperson said: “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.
“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.
“On top of this, we’re pleased to have announced that full-time, part-time and seasonal frontline employees will receive an additional one-time special payment of up to £500 as an extra thank you.”
