AMAZON STRIKES ESCALATE WITH SIX MORE DATES AT COVENTRY AND BALLOTS AT FIVE NEW SITES

For immediate release – Friday 31 March

AMAZON STRIKES ESCALATE WITH SIX MORE DATES AT COVENTRY AND BALLOTS AT FIVE NEW SITES

This could become summer of strike chaos at Amazon, GMB Union warns

GMB strikes at Amazon are set to escalate as members in Coventry announced six further days of walk outs as the union today [31 March] begins ballots at five new sites.

More than 560 workers at the Coventry warehouse will down tools on 16 – 18 and 21 – 23 of April, which will bring the total strike days at the site to 14.

Meanwhile, hundreds of GMB members will begin fresh ballots for industrial action at five further fulfilment centres across the Midlands:

Mansfield in Nottinghamshire
Coalville in Leicestershire
Kegworth in Leicestershire
Rugeley in Staffordshire
Rugby in Warwickshire
The ballots – which open today [31 March] and run for several weeks – will ask GMB members if they are willing to strike over a 50p pay rise enforced by Amazon management [2].

Amazon Coventry has been the focal point of three months of industrial action by GMB after they made history by staging the first ever UK Amazon strike [1].

Amanda Gearing, GMB Senior Organiser, said:

“Industrial action is growing and this could fast become a summer of strike chaos Amazon.

“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.”