Workers at Amazon facilities across more than 20 countries, including the US, UK, Germany, and India, are preparing to strike during the peak holiday shopping weekend between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
The strikes, organized under the banner “Make Amazon Pay,” are driven by grievances over labor practices, environmental policies, and concerns about corporate influence on democracy, according to UNI Global Union and Progressive International.
Organizers accuse Amazon of labor abuses, including inadequate wages, harsh working conditions, and anti-union practices. They also claim the company contributes to environmental degradation and undermines democratic processes. Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union, emphasized the global nature of the movement:
“No matter how much they spend to fight us, corporations like Amazon cannot break the power of workers standing together.”
This year marks the fifth consecutive “Make Amazon Pay” action, highlighting long-standing issues such as wage disputes and workplace safety. Workers in Germany, for example, have been campaigning for collective bargaining rights for over a decade. In New Delhi, Amazon employees will protest poor treatment during a severe heatwave in July.
Amazon has dismissed the accusations, labeling the organizers’ claims as “intentionally misleading.” In a statement, spokesperson Eileen Hards defended the company’s practices:
“At Amazon, we provide great pay, great benefits, and great opportunities — all from day one. We’ve created more than 1.5 million jobs worldwide.”
Amazon outlined its recent investments, including a $2.2 billion increase in wages for US fulfillment and transportation workers. The company highlighted its average base pay of over $22 per hour and comprehensive benefits, such as health insurance and tuition assistance, available from the first day of employment.
Economists have warned that the strike could disrupt deliveries during one of the busiest retail weekends of the year. In 2023, Amazon accounted for 18% of global Black Friday sales, generating over $170 billion in holiday revenue. Delays in shipping could impact customer satisfaction and strain the supply chain.
The strike coincides with a broader resurgence in labor activism, driven by rising inflation and the pandemic’s impact on e-commerce. The first successful unionization at an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island in 2022 has inspired continued efforts, despite Amazon’s resistance.
James Schneider, spokesperson for Progressive International, commented on Amazon’s varying responses to union efforts worldwide:
“In Sweden, it engages much better with trade unions. But in the US, it engages in union-busting.”
With input from New York Post, FOX Business, and ABC News.
