AMAZON STRIKE ACTION TO COST COMPANY MORE THAN £2 MILLION, GMB FIGURES SHOW

A history-making strike by Amazon workers in Coventry could cost the company more than £2million, GMB figures show.

Up to 400 workers at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse will walk out today [Thursday 2 March] on day three of the strike – the first ever the company has faced in the UK. [See note 1 for operational details]

Workers are angry at an enforced pay rise of just 50 pence per hour.

Amazon Coventry workers will also walk out for five consecutive days from 13 to 17 March and GMB estimates that the combined cost of the 8 days of industrial action could be more than £2 million. [2]

Amanda Gearing, GMB Senior Organiser, said:

“The public and Amazon customers will be asking themselves why one of the world most profitable companies is willing to take a big financial hit instead of resolving this dispute.

“All these low-paid workers want is a £4.50 rise for low paid workers. Instead, Amazon’s refusal to negotiate is hitting shareholders in the pocket.

“People will be forgiven for reaching the conclusion that Amazon top brass are focused only on breaking the spirit of striking workers in Coventry

“Morale on the picket line in January was sky high and the support we’ve had from here in Coventry and around the world has kept that going ever since.

“GMB’s message to Amazon is simple; recognise your workers union, pay £15 now and make Amazon safe for our members”.