AMAZON STRIKERS VOTE FOR SIX MONTHS MORE INDUSTRIAL ACTION AS 800 WALK OUT TODAY

Amazon call pull all the dirty tricks it wants; but these workers are angry and they will not go away, says GMB Union

History-making Amazon strikers in Coventry have voted for six more months of industrial action as the biggest walk out of the dispute so far took place today [Wednesday]

Almost 800 Amazon Coventry workers are on strike today, with nearly 500 joining the picket line – the 19th day of industrial action.

A 99 per cent majority voted to extend the industrial action, on a turnout of 54 per cent.

Amazon workers from Coventry are also in Parliament to meet MPs today, including members of the Shadow Cabinet. Government Ministers, including Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, have been invited.

Meanwhile GMB Senior Organiser Amanda Gearing gives evidence about Amazon workers’ struggle to the Human Rights (Joint Committee) hearing into human rights at work. [See notes 1 for operational note]

GMB union was forced to withdraw its bid for recognition at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse, accusing the shopping giant of “dirty tricks”.

The union 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. [1]

Amanda Gearing, GMB Senior Organiser, said:

“The vote for six more months of strike action at Amazon Coventry shows these workers are in for the long haul.

“Almost 500 people on the picket line is incredible.

“Amazon call pull all the dirty tricks it wants; hiring extra staff to deny workers their right to a voice in the workplace is an obstacle, but it is not unsurmountable.

“These workers are angry, they know their rights and they will not go away.”