Thousands of Amazon workers around the world went on strike Friday to demand higher pay and better working conditions during one of the retail giant's busiest weekends of the year.
The strike, dubbed “Make Amazon Pay,” has demonstrations planned in more than 20 countries, including the United States, and is expected to continue until Cyber Monday.
Here's what you need to know:
Why are some Amazon employees going on strike?
The strike, organized by UNI Global Union and Progressive International, aims to “hold Amazon accountable for its labor abuses, environmental destruction, and threats to democracy,” the union federation said. stated in a statement this week.
“Amazon's relentless pursuit of profit is taking a toll on workers, the environment and democracy,” UNI Global Union General Secretary Christy Hoffman said in a statement.
”[Amazon founder Jeff] While Mr. Bezos' company has spent untold millions of dollars trying to prevent workers from organizing, strikes and protests around the world are a sign of workers demanding justice, representing unions. It shows that workers' desire for more is unstoppable,” Hoffman added.
The group said the demonstrations are calling on Amazon to pay workers a fair wage, commit to environmental sustainability and respect workers' right to unionize.
Ahead of Friday's strike, the union also questioned Amazon's “influence” on democracy, citing reports that the company had underreported its profits. Lobbying millions On spending in Europe and the e-commerce giant's challenge to the constitutionality of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Amazon employees have become more vocal about labor and financial concerns in recent years as online retail sales continue to soar.
E-commerce is currently outpacing traditional retail growth in numerous studies. U.S. online shoppers spent more than $6 billion this year on Thanksgiving, when many of the holiday sales begin. salesforce said.
what amazon is saying
Amazon refuted the group's accusations, arguing that Global Union “continues to intentionally promote a misleading and false narrative.”
“The truth is, Amazon offers great pay, great benefits, and great opportunities all from day one. We create more than 1.5 million jobs around the world, and that number continues to grow. , we offer a modern, safe and attractive workplace, whether you work in our office or in one of our sales buildings,” Amazon spokeswoman Eileen Hurd said in a statement.
At the beginning of this year, Amazon announced We will invest $2.2 billion to increase pay for our U.S. fulfillment and transportation employees, increasing their base pay to at least $22 an hour, or at least $29 an hour with select benefits.
These benefits include health, vision and dental insurance, a 401(k) with a 50% company match and up to 20 weeks of paid vacation, the company said.
The strike is a global effort
Amazon is based in the United States, but challenges to its labor practices span six continents.
There are an estimated 200 warehouse workers and delivery drivers in India. gathered in the capital The incident happened in New Delhi on Friday, the Associated Press reported. The employees were seen under a “Make Amazon Pay” banner, and some were wearing Bezos masks, the Associated Press added.
According to the Associated Press, Amazon received a notice from India's National Human Rights Commission in June 2023 after local media reported that employees were forced to work without breaks during the hot summer months. Amazon India denied the charges.
Workers also come from the US, UK, France, Italy and Nepal. participated in the strike Located in various warehouses in Germany. images and videos Posted by: UNI Dozens of protesters were shown walking through German streets holding banners reading “Make Amazon Pay.”
Similar demonstrations occurred in France, Bangladesh, Australia, London and other countries. USAmong other countries, the union said on social platform X.
A spokesperson for the UNI Global Union estimates that several thousand workers are participating in the strike, although the exact number was not disclosed. More than 30 trade unions, environmental organizations and civil society organizations are participating in this effort.
Cyber weekend strike marks 5th year
This year's “Make Amazon Pay Day” marks the fifth year the demonstrations have been held over the holiday weekend.
The first event, as seen by Amazon, was launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. record profitsThis is due to the rapid increase in online shopping.
Over the years, the movement has expanded to include dozens of unions, activists and affiliates, the union said.
Amazon faces increased scrutiny in Washington
This weekend's moves mirror a similar battle occurring on Capitol Hill targeting Amazon.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has led some of these efforts.
Earlier this year, Sanders released an investigative report ahead of the company's Prime Day sale, revealing that nearly half of its field workers were injured at the same event in 2019. He said this was an example of Americans' “certain corporate greed.” “I'm tired of it.”
Amazon and the NLRB have clashed repeatedly in recent years, and federal authorities have sued the company It means they have policies that make it more difficult for workers to organize and to retaliate against those who organize.
