Fact Service April 2021

Issue 14

Action on Amazon launches with ad campaign

Unite has launched an advertising campaign promoting a confidential whistle-blowing hotline as part of its Action on Amazon (@ActionOn_Amazon) unionisation push.

Amazon workers can report any concerns about the retail and delivery giant by calling 08000 14 14 61 in the UK or 1800 851 268 in the Republic of Ireland.

Unite reports that Amazon increased its permanent workforce by a third (10,000) in 2020, as well as taking on 20,000 additional seasonal staff. It almost doubled its profit in 2020 compared to 2019, while founder Jeff Bezos is now ranked the world’s richest man.

But, says Unite, Amazon stops any attempts by workers to gain a collective voice of their own. It has failed to sign either the United Nations Global Compact or the Ethical Trading Initiative – which recognise the right of all workers to a collective voice and which are signed up to by most of the biggest names on the high street.

Unite is calling on Bezos to sign up to a “new deal”, including commitments that recognise workers’ rights to unionise.

Unite executive officer Sharon Graham said: “Unite has launched a major ad campaign to alert Amazon workers about a confidential hotline to blow the whistle on poor treatment and working.

“It is prime time Amazon gave workers the right to be in a union and to do so without interference, bullying and intimidation.”

https://www.unitetheunion.org/news-events/news/2021/march/unite-launches-hotline-and-ad-campaign-to-get-a-new-deal-for-amazon-workers