Amazon staff announce strike date at new UK site

Strikes have taken place at an Amazon fulfilment centre in Coventry

Union members at a new Amazon site have announced the date they plan to take strike action in a dispute over pay.

The GMB trade union, which says it has 34 members at the facility in Birmingham, revealed in November a majority had voted for industrial action.

On Tuesday, organisers announced the workers would take industrial action on 25 January.

Amazon said it regularly reviewed pay and the strike would have "zero impact".

The new £500m fulfilment centre opened its doors in Minworth, Sutton Coldfield, at the end of 2023 and employs about 2,000 people.

Workers in Coventry were the first of the firm's staff in the UK to back industrial action.

They most recently went on strike on Black Friday, one of the busiest days for online retailers, although Amazon claimed customers were unaffected.

'Excellent career opportunities'

Rachel Fagan, GMB organiser, said Amazon faced "industrial chaos" that would grow every day.

“For workers to down tools at Amazon’s new Birmingham HQ just weeks after it opened its doors goes to show how furious Amazon workers in the UK are," she said.

An Amazon spokesman said by April, minimum starting pay would have increased to £12.30 and £13 per hour depending on location.

A statement said this was a 20% increase over two years and a 50% rise since 2018.

"We also work hard to provide great benefits, a positive work environment and excellent career opportunities," the Amazon spokesman added.

The company added "just" 19 GMB union members had voted in favour of industrial action.

"It will cause zero disruption for our customers," the spokesman said.