Amazon strikes resume

Amazon workers at the BHX4 facility in Coventry resume strikes on 7 November, walking out for three days, with a further strike planned on 24 November, the so-called “Black Friday” which is a major trading day for Amazon and other retailers.

24 November will also see strikes and other protests against Amazon in over 30 other countries. Speaking to a recent conference of the “Make Amazon Pay” campaign coalition, US senator Bernie Sanders said: “No company is a better poster child for the corporate greed and arrogance that we are seeing in the US, the UK and throughout the world than Amazon.”

Workers at BHX4 have struck multiple times in a long-running battle to win improved pay and conditions, as well as union recognition. The campaign of strikes has forced Amazon into slight increases in pay; following the most recent increase, which took effect on 15 October, the minimum starting pay for warehouse workers rose to £11.80 an hour (from £11 an hour). A further increase to £12.30 is due in April. But the GMB union rightly insists these increases are not enough, as they lag well behind increases in the cost of living. The union’s demand is for a £15/hour minimum wage.

GMB continues to make efforts to spread the Amazon fight to other warehouses, although so far only one, a site in Rugeley earmarked for closure by Amazon, has joined previous rounds of strikes, taking two days of action in August. Building the same workplace strength in other sites as had been developed at BHX4 will surely be vital for winning major concessions.