Almost 900 workers employed by Amazon at its Coventry fulfilment centre have begun a multiple-day strike in an ongoing row over pay.
The strike will continue until 13 July at the organisation’s warehouse, lasting for two hours during the morning and two hours in the evening across the three days.
The workers, who are represented by trade union GMB, went on strike earlier this year in February and April, as they want to earn £15 an hour and to receive union rights.
According to Amazon, an employee’s starting pay is between £11 and £12 per hour based on their work location, which is above the £10.42 per hour national living wage and the £10.90 real living wage rate. It stated it regularly reviews and increases hourly employee wages and has invested more than £125 million on pay rises for UK hourly-paid workers in less than a year.
An Amazon spokesperson said: “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, added: “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 £2 billion in sales. [It is} denying low-paid workers here in the UK the right to a wage that pays the bills.”
