- Workers at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Mansfield and
Rugeley begin voting on industrial action today, says GMB
Union
Amazon faces new strikes at two more warehouses as GMB launches
two new strike ballots today [Friday 12 May].
Union members will now vote on full and binding industrial action
ballot at Amazon's Mansfield and Rugeley fulfilment centres.
The new strikes ballots follow 14 days of strike action at the
retail giant’s Coventry depot, which saw as many as 700 workers
down tools in the UK's first strike at an Amazon fulfilment
centre.
The ballots at Rugeley and Mansfield will begin today and run for
four weeks until 9 June.
As many as 150 workers are expected to be asked to vote in the
ballot.
Amanda Gearing, GMB Senior Organiser, said:
“Amazon workers are fighting back against a pay rise of pennies
from one of the world's wealthiest corporations.
“This escalation will now see workers in two further fulfilment
centres asked to have their say on downing tools and walking out
to deliver pay justice.
“We’ve already seen enormous enthusiasm from workers at Mansfield
and Rugeley to take action, now it will be up to their union to
move forward with the campaign.
“We warned Amazon that this could fast become a summer of strike
chaos if they refused to sit down and talk pay. Amazon
Coventry workers have risen up, now we are seeing a domino
effect.
“With strike action escalating and historical union recognition
on the horizon, it's time for Amazon to get real and get around
the table."