Black Friday strike: Amazon workers in UK and US to take action on busiest shopping day of the year
Organisers claim ‘Amazon’s relentless pursuit of profit comes at a cost to workers, the environment and democracy’
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Your support makes all the difference.Thousands of Amazon employees in more than 20 countries plan to take part in a coordinated protest against the online retail giant on Black Friday.
Warehouse workers and delivery drivers will strike in the Germany, according to the campaign organised by the Make Amazon Pay group, while protests will also take place in major cities throughout dozens more countries.
Those taking part in the industrial action, which is led by the Swiss-based UNI GLobal Union and Progressive International, are calling on Amazon to improve workers’ rights, pay more taxes and commit to greater environmental sustainability.
The day of action on 29 November is the fourth Black Friday in a row that Make Amazon May has organised action, aiming to disrupt Amazon on what is usually the busiest shopping day of the year.
“Amazon’s relentless pursuit of profit comes at a cost to workers, the environment and democracy,” said Christy Hoffman, the general secretary of UNI Global Union.
“Bezos’s company has spent untold millions to stop workers from organizing, but the strikes and protests happening around the world show that workers’ desire for justice – for union representation – can’t be stopped. We stand united in demanding that Amazon treat its workers fairly, respect fundamental rights, and stop undermining the systems meant to protect us all.”
Previous years have seen organised walkouts in the US, protests outside Amazon’s headquarters, and street marches by garment workers in Bangladesh.
Amazon said in a statement that it is already taking a proactive stance against climate change after becoming the largest purchaser of renewable energy in the world.
“These groups represent a variety of interests, and while we’re always listening and looking at ways to improve, we remain proud of the competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and engaging, safe work experience we provide our teams,” an Amazon UK spokesperson said.
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