First UK Amazon strike

Hundreds of workers at a Coventry warehouse made history last month as they took part in the first ever Amazon strike in the UK. They walked out on 25 January in protest at the online retail giant’s pay offer of just 50 pence per hour, the GMB union reported. In a ballot for action, 98% voted yes.

GMB senior organiser Amanda Gearing said that “people working for one of the most valuable companies in the world shouldn’t have to threaten strike action just to win a wage they can live on”.

Amazon UK Services Limited reported paying just £10.8 million in tax in 2021, despite recording a pre-tax profit of £204 million, said the union.