Amazon workers plan strikes over Prime Day

GMB union members at the Amazon Coventry fulfilment centre recently voted for six more months of strikes, which will resume with walkouts on July 11, 12 and 13. Prime Day will happen on July 11 and 12.

GMB says the strike will have “a huge impact on Amazon’s Prime Week operation” and that Amazon is “nothing without its workers”.

Almost 900 workers are expected to join the strike, which brings the total strike days at Coventry to 22.

GMB senior organiser Rachel Fagan said: “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 £2bn in sales. It’s grotesque that in this context they’re denying low-paid workers here in the UK the right to a wage that pays the bills.  

“When our members are standing on the picket line in Coventry next month they’ll have a simple message for the company: you can’t get human beings on the cheap.” 

An Amazon spokesperson said: “We respect our employees’ rights to join, or not to join, a union. 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 company.

“There will be no disruption to customers. Our Coventry site does not directly serve customer orders.”