About 300 of 1,000 workers at the Coventry fulfillment center are protesting Amazon’s 5% pay increase last year, which is well below the rise in the cost of living.
Amazon’s pay increase lifted the hourly rate for workers at Coventry to £10.50 ($12.92). That leaves it just a shade above the national minimum wage for people aged 23 and over of £10.42 ($12.83) starting in April.
“They’re taking on one of the world’s biggest companies to fight for a decent standard of living,” GMB senior organizer Stuart Richards said in a statement. “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.”
A spokesperson for Amazon, which does not expect the strike to impact deliveries, said the company is “proud to offer competitive pay,” which starts at £10.50 to £11.45 ($12.92 to $14.09) per hour depending on location.
“Employees are also offered comprehensive benefits that are worth thousands more,” including private medical insurance, subsidized meals and an employee discount, the spokesperson said.
The strike comes as employees in the United States continue to organize and push for collective bargaining rights.
Amazon employees at a warehouse in Staten Island, New York, made history last year when they voted to form the first-ever labor union at one of the company’s US facilities. Amazon has refused to formally recognize or bargain with the Amazon Labor Union, which was recently certified by regulators.
“Companies that last a long time go through different phases,” CEO Andy Jassy said in a memo to workers. “They’re not in heavy people expansion mode every year.”
— Catherine Thorbecke and Hanna Ziady contributed reporting.