Amazon workers will launch a series of strikes starting on Tuesday (November 7) which is also set to impact Black Friday on November 24. 

The strike action comes amid an ongoing pay dispute and will see more than 1000 workers, all members of the GMB union, walk out at the online giant’s Coventry site for four days in November, including Black Friday. 

Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year and Amazon is expected to be hit by strike action not just in the UK, but also in Europe and the USA.

The Northern Echo: See exactly when the Amazon workers will be taking strike action in the UK in November 2023.See exactly when the Amazon workers will be taking strike action in the UK in November 2023. (Image: PA)

 

When are the Amazon worker strikes?

More than 1000 workers are set to walk out on Amazon's UK site in Coventry on Tuesday (November 7), with the strike action set to last three days.

They will then strike again on November 24 - Black Friday.

GMB organiser, Rachel Fagan, said: “The action will hit some of Amazon’s busiest days in the lead-up to Black Friday and will bring total days lost to industrial action to nearly 30.

“This is an unprecedented and historic moment with low-paid workers taking on one of the world’s most powerful corporations.

“This is our members’ response to the failure of Amazon bosses to listen.

“Coventry is the beating heart of Amazon’s distribution network; strike action this week and on Black Friday will ripple throughout the company’s UK logistics.

“As Black Friday looms, Amazon must urgently reconsider their priorities or risk strike action causing widespread disruption to customers and the public.”

While, an Amazon spokesperson said: “We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, opportunities for career growth, all while working in a safe, modern, work environment.

“At Amazon, these benefits and opportunities come with the job, as does the ability to communicate directly with the leadership of the company.”

The company added that its minimum starting pay is between £11.80 and £12.50 an hour depending on location for all full-time, part-time and seasonal roles and from April 2024, minimum starting pay will increase to between £12.30 and £13 per hour, depending on location.

The increases represent a £170 million investment in pay and mean Amazon’s minimum starting pay will have risen by 20% in two years, and 50% since 2018.