GMB, the union for Amazon workers, warned today’s
blockbuster results for the retail giant are built on treating
workers like robots.
Amazon yesterday announced its revenues for the first
quarter jumped 43 per cent to £36.7 billion and net income more
than doubled to £1.15 billion,
Amazon’s shares pushed above £1,150 making it the
world’s second-most valuable company, after Apple.
[1]
Thes results come after a former employee claimed
workers at a giant Amazon warehouse in Staffordshire have
resorted to peeing in bottles because the toilets are too far
away,
Undercover investigator James Bloodworth reported
workers took the ‘toilet bottle’ option at the huge depot in
Rugeley, Staffordshire because they feared losing their job if
they took too long visiting the toilet. [2] He has likened the
culture to a ‘prison’.
GMB members working at Amazon have described
conditions as ‘slave labour’ – they have reported bosses have put
them under so much pressure they are scared to go to the toilet.
[3]
Meanwhile delivery drivers for Amazon have told how
they are forced to deliver 200 parcels a day with no time for
toilet breaks – forcing them to urinate into plastic bottles
[4].
Earlier this year Amazon delivery firm UK Express
recently made a 100% settlement out of court to drivers GMB
claimed were falsely self-employed. Some drivers received almost
£20,000 in back pay [5].
Mick Rix, GMB National Officer,
said:
“As Amazon post these bumper results, it’s about time
we removed the packaging to reveal the way its workers say
they’re being treated every day.
“This is a company that makes fantastical sums of
money, so why do its workers report "hellish” working conditions?
Why are they ending up urinating into plastic bottles? It’s
inhuman, degrading and demeaning.”
“Amazon can more than afford to provide decent terms
and conditions for their workers. Why are they being sold down
the river?”
"GMB is here to provide a voice for our members.
Companies like Amazon should be treating staff with respect, not
treating them like robots.”
ENDS
[1] https://www.ft.com/content/8b90dfdc-4999-11e8-8ee8-cae73aab7ccb
[2] http://uk.businessinsider.com/amazon-warehouse-workers-have-to-pee-into-bottles-2018-4?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=webfeeds&r=US&IR=T
[3] https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/staffordshire/rugeley/2017/12/14/protest-at-amazons-rugeley-warehouse-over-hellish-working-conditions/
[4] https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/amazon-drivers-forced-deliver-200-11668823
[5] https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/amazon-drivers-win-legal-battle-11885217
