[UK] Hundreds of Amazon warehouse staff in Essex stop work over 35p pay rise

Hundreds of employees have stopped work Amazon’s warehouse in Tilbury, Essex, in response to a pay rise of only 35p (about 3 per cent) when inflation is expected to hit 13 per cent later this year, The Guardian reports.

The GMB union said about 700 of the around 3,500 employees at the site - one of the online retail giant’s largest in Europe - gathered in the facility’s canteen for a meeting as they tried to register a protest against the pay deal.

Workers at the facility reportedly earn a minimum of £11.10 an hour, with those employed for at least three years on a minimum of £11.35. They are calling for a £2-an-hour raise, however, both groups are being offered the 35p deal.

One warehouse worker posted a video to TikTok in which they accused Amazon of treating them “like slaves”. 

“See people what’s going on,” the post filmed inside the warehouse said. “Keep fight for us and our family”.

Steve Garelick - a regional organiser at GMB - said some workers had faced disciplinary action and a withdrawal of pay over the stoppage that began on Wednesday night (August 3) and continued into Thursday.

“Amazon have removed pay from hundreds of workers at Tilbury Essex as well as scouring social media to see who is uploading videos. Instead of disciplinary procedures because of reputation, Amazon should sort their reputation with staff. Pay a decent increase not 35p,” Mr Garelick tweeted.

Amazon does not recognise trade unions in its UK warehouses but the GMB has pledged to support members on site facing disciplinary procedures.

In a statement Amazon said, “Starting pay for Amazon employees will be increasing to a minimum of between £10.50 and £11.45 per hour, depending on location. This is for all full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary roles in the UK.

“In addition to this competitive pay, employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package that includes private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, subsidised meals and an employee discount among others, which combined are worth thousands annually, as well as a company pension plan.”

Source: The Guardian

(Link and quotes via original reporting)

Hundreds of employees have stopped work Amazon’s warehouse in Tilbury, Essex, in response to a pay rise of only 35p (about 3 per cent) when inflation is expected to hit 13 per cent later this year, The Guardian reports.

The GMB union said about 700 of the around 3,500 employees at the site - one of the online retail giant’s largest in Europe - gathered in the facility’s canteen for a meeting as they tried to register a protest against the pay deal.

Workers at the facility reportedly earn a minimum of £11.10 an hour, with those employed for at least three years on a minimum of £11.35. They are calling for a £2-an-hour raise, however, both groups are being offered the 35p deal.

One warehouse worker posted a video to TikTok in which they accused Amazon of treating them “like slaves”. 

“See people what’s going on,” the post filmed inside the warehouse said. “Keep fight for us and our family”.

Steve Garelick - a regional organiser at GMB - said some workers had faced disciplinary action and a withdrawal of pay over the stoppage that began on Wednesday night (August 3) and continued into Thursday.

“Amazon have removed pay from hundreds of workers at Tilbury Essex as well as scouring social media to see who is uploading videos. Instead of disciplinary procedures because of reputation, Amazon should sort their reputation with staff. Pay a decent increase not 35p,” Mr Garelick tweeted.

Amazon does not recognise trade unions in its UK warehouses but the GMB has pledged to support members on site facing disciplinary procedures.

In a statement Amazon said, “Starting pay for Amazon employees will be increasing to a minimum of between £10.50 and £11.45 per hour, depending on location. This is for all full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary roles in the UK.

“In addition to this competitive pay, employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package that includes private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, subsidised meals and an employee discount among others, which combined are worth thousands annually, as well as a company pension plan.”

Source: The Guardian

(Link and quotes via original reporting)