Amazon workers to protest or strike in 20 countries on Black Friday
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Thousands of Amazon workers are expected to protest or strike in more than 20 countries during Black Friday to press for better workers’ rights and climate action from the US retailer.
Workers and representatives from unions and workers’ groups intend to join protests against the Seattle-based company’s practices between Black Friday and Cyber Monday (November 29 and December 2), one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year.
During the annual discounting period, Amazon and many other retailers offer deals to shoppers, and warehouse staff are busy fulfilling orders. Action is planned in big cities across the US, Germany, the UK, Turkey, Canada, India, Japan, Brazil and other countries.
It is co-ordinated by the Make Amazon Pay campaign, which calls on Amazon — founded by Jeff Bezos, the world’s second-richest man — to pay its workers fairly and respect their right to join unions, pay its fair share of taxes, and commit to environmental sustainability.
Spearheaded by the Swiss-based UNI Global Union for service industries and the activist umbrella group Progressive International, Make Amazon Pay is made up of more than 80 trade unions, anti-poverty and garment worker rights groups, and others.
In Germany, thousands of members of the union Ver.di will go on strike at warehouses in Dortmund, Leipzig, Koblenz, Graben, Werne, Bad Hersfeld and Rheinberg.
In France, the Association for the Taxation of Financial Transactions and Citizens’ Action (ATTAC), which promotes tax fairness, will hold protests in several cities. This is the fifth year of Make Amazon Pay protests.
“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.
"We stand united in demanding that Amazon treat its workers fairly, respect fundamental rights, and stop undermining the systems meant to protect us all.”
An Amazon spokesperson said: “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.”
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