Amazon workers across Europe initiated a widespread strike on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, protesting against the e-commerce giant's working conditions.
The "Make Amazon Pay" campaign, run by the UNI Global Union, saw strikes and protests from Black Friday through the weekend in over 30 countries, as reported by Reuters.
Black Friday, traditionally associated with long lines at physical stores in the US, has increasingly become a global online shopping event, with Amazon leading the charge. This year, Amazon's holiday discounts, advertised from November 17 to November 27, set the stage for the labor unrest.
A picture taken in London on November 24, 2023, shows Black Friday sales branding on the website of online retailer Amazon.com, displayed on a laptop screen. Amazon was hit by strikes at various locations in Britain and Germany during the annual "Black Friday" shopping extravaganza as workers demanded higher wages and better working conditions.
Thousands of Amazon Workers Demand Higher Wage
In Germany, Amazon's second-largest market, around 2,000 workers participated in strikes across six fulfillment centers. Notably, 500 workers in Rheinberg, constituting nearly 40% of the workforce, and 250 workers in Leipzig, accounting for about 20%, joined the strike.
Despite this, an Amazon spokesperson in Germany downplayed the impact, citing a small number of workers involved and affirming fair wages with a starting salary exceeding €14 ($15.27) per hour. The spokesperson assured customers of reliable and timely delivery of Black Friday orders.
In Coventry, UK, approximately 200 Amazon warehouse workers went on strike to continue a salary dispute. Workers exclaimed for £15 ($18.69) per hour salary hikes. The labor action in the UK marks the 28th day of strikes against Amazon in 2023.
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Conflicting reports emerged from Italy, where trade union CGIL claimed over 60% of the strike participation at the Amazon warehouse in Castel San Giovanni. In contrast, Amazon stated that more than 86% of workers attended, with no operational impact. In Spain, the CCOO union called for one-hour strikes on each shift on "Cyber Monday," the final day of Amazon's ten-day sale.
In France, Amazon's parcel lockers in various locations became a focal point for protests organized by the anti-globalization group Attac.
Attac, critical of Black Friday as a "celebration of overproduction and overconsumption," targeted lockers in train stations, supermarket car parks, and street corners, according to a report from Business World. The group anticipated a broader protest than the previous year, aiming at 100 Amazon lockers across France.
Amazon Assures Services Will Continue
Despite the widespread Black Friday strikes, an Amazon spokesperson in the UK assured customers of no disruption, emphasizing competitive wages and benefits, per Sky News. The spokesperson highlighted the online retail company's commitment to reviewing pay regularly and cited a planned increase in minimum starting pay to £12.30 ($15.50) and £13 ($16.38) per hour by April 2024, representing a 20% increase over two years and a 50% increase since 2018.
Despite the employee unrest, Amazon remains popular in Europe, maintaining a substantial user base compared to its rising competitors, Shein and Temu.
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