As part of a protracted salary dispute, around 1,000 employees at an Amazon (AMZN.O.) warehouse in central England went on strike on Tuesday, according to the GMB trade union.
The employees, who left the Coventry location of the American retail behemoth, have announced their intention to go on strike on Wednesday and Thursday in addition to November 24, which is a crucial date in Amazon’s schedule and Black Friday.
The Coventry site workers went on strike for the first time in January.
The most recent action occurred after a year in which employees in the UK have been demanding higher wage increases to cope with rising inflation, leading to broader industrial unrest.
Amazon said, “We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth, all while working in a modern, safe work environment.”
“These perks and chances, along with the chance to speak with company executives directly, come with the job at Amazon.”
Seventy-five thousand Amazon employs 75,000 people in the UK. The company said last month that, as of October 15, minimum beginning pay will rise by at least one pound per hour, to a maximum of 11.80 to 12.50 pounds, depending on the area. Pay rates will increase even more starting in April next year, from 12.30 to 13 pounds per hour.
Amazon estimated that the changes would cost the company £170 million ($209 million) and that they would result in a 20% increase in minimum beginning pay after two years and a 50% increase after 2018. The British government has set the minimum wage at 10.42 pounds per hour for those aged 23 and older.
Global attempts at unionization have been hurting Amazon. Employees at an Amazon facility in New York City decided to organize the company’s first union last year.
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