Strike action by Amazon workers threatens to hit Prime Week deliveries
Amazon's Prime Week deliveries look set for disruption after almost 900 workers at its Coventry fulfilment centre went on strike this week, taking to the picket line once again over an ongoing pay dispute.
The three day strike, from 10 - 13 July, includes Amazon Prime Week, which runs for 48 hours from 3am today (11 July).
The strike action will last for two hours during the morning and two hours in the evening, across the three days.
This latest action follows strikes by fulfilment centre workers in February and April this year. The employees are demanding £15 an hour and union rights.
Starting pay at the fulfilment centre is currently between £11 and £12 per hour, based on the employees' work location. Amazon has pointed out that this is above the £10.42 per hour national living wage and the £10.90 per hour real living wage rate.
The online retailer claims it regularly reviews and increases hourly employee wages and has invested more than £125m on pay rises for UK hourly-paid workers in less than a year.
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An Amazon spokesperson insisted there will be no disruption to customers. "Our Coventry site does not directly serve customer orders.
"We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth, all while working in a safe, modern, work environment. At Amazon, these benefits and opportunities come with the job, as does the ability to communicate directly with the leadership of the business.”
Rachel Fagan, senior organiser at GMB, which is supporting the striking Amazon workers at Coventry, said the strike will be disruptive to Amazon's business.
She warned: “This strike action will have a huge impact on Amazon’s Prime Week operation. It goes to show that even Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, is nothing without its workers.
"GMB members in Coventry have time and time again shown that this fight will only end with £15 an hour and union rights.
"Prime Week can see Amazon rake in as much as £2bnn in sales. [It is} denying low-paid workers here in the UK the right to a wage that pays the bills.”
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