"Coventry Amazon worker says hundreds will join first ever UK walkout", 19 January 2023

Staff at Coventry's Amazon warehouse will walk out...in the first ever strike by UK workers at the online giant. Members of the GMB union will join the picket line at the Lyons Park base in a dispute over pay after voting in favour of taking industrial action.

The strike will be held from midnight to midnight on Wednesday, January 25, and one of the strikers says it will be the first of many. Darren Westwood predicts that around 250 people will strike and and be on the picket lines for various points of the day...

On the why the situation escalated to industrial action, Mr Westwood said: "The original discontent started with the introduction of a 50p wage rise which was introduced. We expected a lot more.

"Everyone is aware of how much Amazon made during the pandemic - that was from us grafting. After the announcement, about 500 people walked off the floor and refused to go back to work."

Mr Westwood also predicts that there will be more strike days to come and that the first day of industrial action is a "show of strength" He said: "We know it will be a long fight. The 25th is just going to be a show of strength but it is just the beginning..

An Amazon spokesman said: "We appreciate the great work our teams do throughout the year and we’re proud to offer competitive pay which starts at a minimum of between £10.50 and £11.45 per hour, depending on location.

"This represents a 29 per cent increase in the minimum hourly wage paid to Amazon employees since 2018. Employees are also offered comprehensive benefits that are worth thousands more - including private medical insurance, life assurance, subsidised meals and an employee discount, to name a few."

Amanda Gearing, GMB senior organiser, said: "Amazon workers in Coventry are set to make history on January 25, becoming the first ever Amazon workers in the UK to go on strike. They’ve shown they’re willing to put themselves on the line to fight for what’s right.

"...GMB urges Amazon UK bosses to give workers a proper pay rise and avoid industrial action."