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Labor strikes have impacted Black Friday as over 1000 employees of Amazon go on strike, which unions claim will be the largest disruption in the company’s three decades of existence.
Approximately 1,150 employees at Amazon’s distribution center in Coventry participated in the strike to protest against their wages and working conditions.
Labor unions report that employees are exhausted from barely being able to cover their expenses and having to walk long distances during their shifts.
The Amazon UK Coventry location is a highly active center, one of just two of its kind. There is growing worry about how the strike will affect customers, especially on what is typically one of the busiest days of the year.
Employees from the United States, Germany, and Italy were anticipated to participate in the event, which is a component of what labor unions refer to as a “worldwide movement” for improved wages and working circumstances. Protests are also predicted to occur in various locations throughout the United States and Europe.
Employees are requesting that Amazon managers address their demands for improved wages and working environments.
On November 24th, as millions of customers are predicted to spend big during Black Friday sales, this arises.
However, employees claim that the company’s treatment of its workers is unacceptable.
A worker informed The Independent that the strikes had united workers, but for many, the circumstances were dire.
My coworker mentioned that some of our colleagues are working multiple jobs and hardly have time to spend with their families. She also pointed out that Amazon, one of the wealthiest companies globally, has a founder who is occupied with launching rockets while the employees who contributed to the company’s success struggle to make ends meet and rely on food banks and pawning possessions.
She stated that her job at the company was both physically and mentally exhausting. The combination of heavy lifting for ten hours a night had a negative impact and caused injuries.
When discussing mental health, she mentioned that the impact is comparable. She explained, “Managers frequently approach you to inform you of your low performance rate, or you are grouped with others who are not meeting expectations, and this can have a negative effect on one’s mental well-being.”
“Being required to work longer hours results in a lack of time and opportunity to engage in beneficial activities.”
According to The Independent, the GMB union conveyed that employees were let down by Amazon executives for not addressing salary and employment terms after several months of protest.
According to a spokesperson for The Independent, the request is very straightforward. They are asking the company to have a conversation with them, which is a reasonable request. However, Amazon executives have declined to engage in dialogue.
This is a disgraceful accusation against the company. It is disgraceful that Amazon has not taken action on this.
According to GMB, the strike during a busy period will greatly affect the business financially.
According to Amanda Gearing, an organizer for GMB, the upcoming Black Friday will result in the most significant instance of work stoppage in Amazon’s 30-year existence.
According to Amazon, the strike will not have any impact on customers.
“Coventry serves as a central hub for Amazon’s distribution system; any strike activity on Black Friday will have a significant impact on the company’s logistics operations in the UK.”
However, Amazon reassured that this decision would not impact their customers. According to a statement given to The Independent, the company stated, “There will be no interruption to our customers. Our location in Coventry does not directly handle customer orders.”
The company stated that it frequently evaluates employee feedback and adjusts compensation to remain competitive with wages and benefits.
The statement stated that our minimum starting salary will be raised to £12.30 and £13 per hour by April 2024, with the specific amount depending on the location. This represents a 20% increase over the course of two years and a 50% increase since 2018.
Our team is dedicated to delivering top-notch perks, fostering a supportive workplace, and offering outstanding prospects for advancement.
These are a few of the many motivations individuals have for joining Amazon, whether it be their initial employment, a temporary position, or a chance for career growth.
Source: independent.co.uk
