Amazon employees are preparing to strike across 20 different countries, including major cities in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Brazil, coinciding with the busy shopping days from Black Friday through Cyber Monday. This action has been organized under the banner “Make Amazon Pay,” an initiative led by UNI Global Union and Progressive International to address ongoing concerns about labor practices, environmental issues, and the impact on democratic processes.
The planned strike aims to rally support for increased wages and employees’ rights to organize into unions. Participating workers are expected to express their grievances about what they consider labor abuses and inadequate handling of worker conditions, particularly drawing attention to incidents such as the reported mistreatment of workers during extreme heat conditions in India.
This year marks the fifth iteration of the Make Amazon Pay demonstrations, strategically planned during a peak shopping weekend, when Amazon accounted for 18% of Black Friday sales in 2023, totaling over $170 billion in holiday sales. Leaders of the movement highlight that while Amazon is chasing profits, it is at the expense of its employees and natural resources.
Amazon, in response, has defended its labor practices. A spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to providing competitive pay and substantial employee benefits, including comprehensive health insurance, paid leave, and tuition assistance. The company recently increased its average wage for U.S. fulfillment and transportation employees to over $22 per hour, according to its announcements.
In recent years, Amazon workers have increasingly voiced their demands for better rights and conditions, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly boosted the company’s online sales. While there have been successful union efforts in Staten Island, New York, some attempts in other locations, such as Alabama, have not met with the same success. The ongoing conflicts at Amazon underscore a larger trend of collective worker action, partially fueled by inflation and a rising cost of living.
In light of the ambitious mobilization by workers globally, experts believe that unified labor actions can create meaningful change within the corporate structure of Amazon, advocating for a future where worker dignity is prioritized over profit.
While this situation could potentially lead to delays in holiday deliveries, it marks a critical moment for worker solidarity and advocacy, highlighting the power of collective action in demanding better rights and conditions in the workplace.
In summary, the upcoming strike during the Black Friday sales period stands as a testament to the increasing determination of workers to advocate for their rights, potentially reshaping the labor landscape within one of the world’s largest corporations.