Workers at an Amazon distribution centre that are represented by unions have indicated plans to strike again in the upcoming days over salary.
Last month, around three hundred and fifty employees at the Coventry warehouse were the first in the UK to engage in industrial action against the online retail giant.
Despite the fact that Amazon does not recognize the GMB union, the organization is advocating for an increase in pay from £10.50 to £15 per hour.
Amazon had earlier stated that it provided competitive pay, which has increased by 29% during 2018, along with other benefits for its employees.
The multinational technology company does not negotiate salaries with the union’s representatives because it does not recognize the union as legitimate.
At thirteen hours local time (GMT), GMB informed the employer of further strike dates. The scheduled dates for the industrial action are the 28th of February and the 2nd of March, as well as the week of the 13th through the 17th of March.
The union referred to Amazon‘s 5% salary raise offer as “derisory,” which would be equivalent to around 50p per hour. Workers also spoke to the BBC about “severe” working conditions, including being constantly monitored and having toilet breaks timed.
Amazon has stated that its “performance management tool” is put on hold if an employee is not logged in at their station.
The Amazon stock in Coventry is scanned and then transported out to other fulfilment centres, after which it is eventually distributed to customers. The site in Coventry employs approximately 1,500 employees.
Employees stationed there became the first Amazon workers in the UK to go on strike on January 25, when they walked out of their jobs.
The GMB union is also debating whether or not to vote its about 200 members who work at Amazon’s distribution centre in Tilbury, Essex, on whether or not they should participate in a strike.
As a result of COVID-19 restrictions, more and more individuals are shopping online, which has been great for Amazon’s global sales and earnings. Profits almost quadrupled from 2019 to 2020, reaching $21.3 billion (£17.2 billion), and then increased again in the following year, reaching $33.3 billion.
On the other hand, on January 5th, they revealed that they had plans to eliminate more than 18,000 jobs all around the world in order to save money.
