Amazon Prime, Amazon Crime

I think we can all agree that Amazon Prime is an absolute Godsend. From last-minute birthday presents to spontaneous purchases, the multibillion-dollar company is internationally recognised for its efficiency, productivity, and success.

Despite this, the corporation is often accused of mistreating its workers and neglecting their rights. Amazon workers in the UK have gone on strike in a protest over pay.

The Fight for Rights

Two Amazon workers, who are part of the GMB (a trade union for all workers in the UK), claimed that the robots in the warehouse “are treated better than us”. They described that to achieve perfect productivity, their toilet breaks are timed by Amazon, and an extra few minutes of “idle time” can lead to a series of questions from managers.

Garfield Hilton, one of the workers, stated that Amazon wants “every minute in that building to be maximised” It’s no surprise that the company ensures their employees are working their very hardest. Hilton said that there are many “virtually in ghost mode”, perhaps due to strenuous 60-hour weeks to keep up with the cost of living.

The Fight for Better Pay

You have probably seen the words “cost of living crisis” and “inflation” in every other headline. This has made it much more difficult for people, including Amazon’s workers, to live comfortable lives without worrying about what will be on their dinner table that night or how to keep their homes warm during winter.

On Wednesday, 300 workers staged a walkout at Amazon’s Coventry Warehouse over a 5% pay rise to £10.50 an hour- which the GMB Union says is simply not enough. Inflation in the UK, the rate at which prices rise, is at a 40-year high. To keep up with this, Union members want to be paid £15, not just the extra 50p. One said, “We just want to be able to live. I just want to be able to pay my bills at the end of the week. That’s all we’re asking for.”

Amazon’s Answer

Amazon seems to be downplaying the importance of this strike, dismissing the “tiny proportion” of its workforce that was involved. They said that the warehouse strike would have “zero impact” on customers.

However, many Union Members are still determined to see this through. Darren Westwood, an Amazon worker and GMB Union Member, told the BBC, “I know it’s going to be a long slog, but these people need someone who’s not frightened. And I’m not frightened.”

The Verdict

It seems like these strikes are not going to be ending anytime soon and so, all we can do is hope that they grant Amazon workers the basic rights they are entitled to.