- Kemi Badenoch urged to hear first-hand how Amazon’s
employment practises are hitting UK
workers
Secretary of State for Business and Trade , has been invited to meet
striking Amazon workers as they head to Parliament tomorrow
[Wednesday 14 June 2023]
Workers from the retail giant’s fulfilment centre in
Coventry will meet MPs, including members of the Shadow Cabinet,
in their fight to become to first workers in the UK to win trade
union recognition at the internet giant.
More than 800 Amazon Coventry workers are on strike today
[Tuesday] and tomorrow [Wednesday] - their 18th and 19th day of
industrial action in a dispute over pay.
Meanwhile GMB Senior Organiser Amanda Gearing gives evidence
about Amazon workers’ struggle to the Human Rights (Joint
Committee) hearing into human rights at work. [See notes 1 for
operational note]
GMB union was forced to withdraw its bid for recognition at
Amazon's Coventry warehouse, accusing the shopping giant of
“dirty tricks".
The union claimed it had surpassed the number of members needed
to secure recognition at the site - but that Amazon had taken on
1,000 extra staff to scupper the bid. [2]
GMB union this week released figures showing taxpayer cash
spent on Amazon rocketed to a record-breaking £222 million last
year [3].
Amanda Gearing, GMB Senior Organiser,
said:
“Amazon are raking in eye watering sums of cash from the public
purse, whilst treating UK workers with disdain.
“It’s time for the Government to get off the fence on Amazon
funding.
“If this amount of taxpayer cash is spent on a private company,
the contract must come with guarantees on worker pay, health and
safety and their right to be represented by formally recognised
trade union.
“Our members have invited the Government’s top business official
to hear from them first hand why it’s time for the Government to
get off the fence.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors
[1] When: Wednesday 14 June 2023
Photocall: 09:50 at Parliament Square, Great George Street, City
Of London SW1P 3AD
Meeting with MPs: 12.30 - 2pm Room B, One Parliament Street,
SW1A
Select Committee: 15.45 Room 16, Palace of
Westminster.
Streaming link: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/3370b64a-1ab2-47c4-9fe4-10c6a9e62bd5
Contact: Finbar Bowie +44 7850 857553 or GMB Press Office +44
7958 156846
[2] GMB union accuses Amazon UK of
'dirty tricks' in recognition battle - BBC News
[3] www.gmb.org.uk/news/amazon-yearly-taxpayer-income-rockets-%C2%A3222-million
