Amazon workers hold first UK strike

Amazon workers held their first ever UK strike on Wednesday this week, when around 300 staff at the multinational giant’s Coventry fulfilment centre walked out over pay.

The GMB union said they acted “in anger” over the company’s 50 pence per hour pay offer.

An industrial action ballot saw a majority of more than 98% of workers vote to strike.

Stuart Richards, GMB senior organiser, said the strikers had “defied the odds to become the first ever Amazon workers in the UK to go on strike. They’re taking on one of the world’s biggest companies to fight for a decent standard of living.”

The BBC reported that workers at the site told them about “severe” conditions, claiming they are constantly monitored and upbraided for “idle time” lasting just a few minutes.

Two workers said the robots in the warehouse “are treated better than us”.