Protests are taking place at Amazon warehouses across the UK all day today as voting begins in a historic workers’ rights ballot. A rally outside Amazon’s London HQ will begin at 5pm.
Demonstrations in the North and South of England, Wales and Scotland mark the day workers at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse cast the first votes in their bid to force Amazon to recognise a union for the first time in the UK.
The separate rally will see TUC Assistant General Secretary Kate Bell joined by Amazon workers and supporters.
The vote in Coventry follows a three-week period which saw union representatives granted access to Amazon’s Coventry fulfilment centre by the Government’s Central Arbitration Committee.
More than 3,000 workers will take part in the ballot – if a majority of them vote yes, Amazon will be forced to negotiate pay, terms and conditions with GMB Union.
The vote runs until Saturday 13 July, with a result expected on 15 July.
“Workers have come together because of the poverty pay and unsafe conditions Amazon has thrust upon them,” said Andy Prendergast, GMB National Secretary.
“They want the same fair pay and safe conditions any of us would demand.
“GMB members face shocking levels of intimidation, fear and abuse at the hands of bosses for daring to fight. Amazon has had every chance to do the right thing; now workers are taking things into their own hands to make work better.”
