Workers at one of Amazon's Midlands centres are walking out today in the first ever UK strike for the logistics giant.
GMB members at the company’s Coventry fulfilment centre voted to walk out today in protest against a pay rise the union said was worth 50p an hour.
Amazon says the industrial action only involves a "tiny proportion" of its workforce and says it offers competitive pay.
GMB senior organiser Stuart Richards said: “Today, Amazon workers in Coventry will make history. They’ve defied the odds to become the first ever Amazon workers in the UK to go on strike."
READ MORE: Avanti West Coast ordered to stop releasing tickets late or face 'formal measures'
Mr Richards said the workers should be "rightly proud of themselves". And he added: "After six months of ignoring all requests to listen to workers’ concerns, GMB urges Amazon UK bosses to do the right thing and give workers a proper pay rise.”
An Amazon spokesperson said: “A tiny proportion of our workforce are involved.
“In fact, according to the verified figures, only a fraction of 1% of our UK employees voted in the ballot – and that includes those who voted against industrial action.
“We appreciate the great work our teams do throughout the year and we’re proud to offer competitive pay which starts at a minimum of between £10.50 and £11.45 per hour, depending on location.
“This represents a 29% increase in the minimum hourly wage paid to Amazon employees since 2018. Employees are also offered comprehensive benefits that are worth thousands more — including private medical insurance, life assurance, subsidised meals and an employee discount, to name a few.”
