Protesters hit Amazon buildings on Black Friday

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-59419572

Version 3 of 7.

Amazon trucks queue outside a centre in Altrincham, delayed by protests

Protests are being staged at Amazon buildings in the UK, US, and Europe - on Black Friday.

The shopping sales day is among Amazon's busiest all year.

An international coalition of unions, equality and environmental groups called "Make Amazon Pay" is staging a day of action, demanding concessions.

In an unrelated separate protest, the Extinction Rebellion environmental group has blocked the entrances to Amazon distribution centres in the UK.

The group says it has targeted 13 British buildings, including the largest one in Dunfermline.

It is staging similar action abroad in Germany and Netherlands.

Extinction Rebellion targets Amazon distribution centres

Black Friday spending set to soar despite fewer deals

Can you buy the tech you want on Black Friday?

'Make Amazon Pay'

The Make Amazon Pay coalition is not affiliated with Extinction Rebellion group, but also has environmental groups such as Greenpeace among its members.

"Amazon takes too much and gives back too little," it claims - backed by trade unions, grassroots campaigns and non-profit-making organisations in individual countries.

In the UK, that includes:

GMB Union

Trades Union Congress

Momentum

War on Want

International Transport Workers' Federation

Labour Behind the Label

No UK Amazon warehouses are unionised, so legally they can't strike.

Many employees will be working on the day, but campaign groups which include Amazon workers are staging protests at Amazon buildings in Coalville, Leicestershire, Coventry, Peterborough and at its London headquarters.

Amazon workers enter the Tilbury Amazon building early Friday morning, walking past activists

But strikes are being encouraged elsewhere.

In Germany, for example, the union Verdi called on employees at major shipping centres to strike, beginning on Wednesday night. And in France, major union CGT is also calling for workers to down tools.

Worldwide, nearly 50 organisations have signed up to a list of "common demands", published by the Make Amazon Pay coalition, which include:

raising warehouse workers' pay and adding hazard pay and peak time increments

halting worker "surveillance" and strict productivity targets

extending sick leave and improving Covid-19 tracking and reporting

ending casual employment status and "union-busting" activities

paying taxes without using loopholes or tax havens

Owen Espley, from the War on Want campaign group, said: "Amazon's growing power is a threat to communities and workers around the world.

"Amazon is abusing its dominance across online retail, cloud services, and logistics, to create unfair competition that is driving down standards for everyone.

"Amazon workers face unsafe conditions, constant surveillance and are treated like robots.

"It's time for Amazon to pay fair wages, fair taxes, and for its impact on the planet."

'Pandemic profiteer'

"This company is a pandemic profiteer that can afford to do better," said Mick Rix, from the GMB Union. "It's time for Amazon sit down with their workers' union GMB and make Amazon a great, safe place to work. "

Amazon reported a tripling of profits earlier this year, attributed to its success during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Five things to know about Amazon boss Jeff Bezos

The company has also been accused of taking an anti-union stance across its operations, particularly in the US.

A landmark push to unionise a workplace in Bessemer, Alabama, failed earlier this year but was examined by the US regulator over allegations the company had put pressure on employees during the vote.

Amazon offers £3,000 bonuses to attract staff

Amazon injuries '80% higher' than competitors

Amazon offers punctual staff £50 for turning up

Amazon issued a prepared statement in advance of the protests about the wider Make Amazon Pay movement.

"These groups represent a variety of interests, and while we are not perfect in any area, if you objectively look at what Amazon is doing in each one of these areas you'll see that we do take our role and our impact very seriously," it said.

"We are inventing and investing significantly in all these areas, playing a significant role in addressing climate change with the Climate Pledge commitment to be net zero carbon by 2040, continuing to offer competitive wages and great benefits, and inventing new ways to keep our employees safe and healthy in our operations network, to name just a few."