Amazon workers plan to strike from Black Friday to Cyber ​​Monday

On By Littum

Amazon workers plan to strike from Black Friday to Cyber ​​Monday to hold the company accountable for “labor abuses, environmental degradation and threats to democracy,” organizers say.

The “Make Amazon Pay” protest, organized by UNI Global Union and Progressive International, will take place in 20 different countries and major cities in the UK, US, Germany, Japan and Brazil.

“Amazon is everywhere, but so are we. By uniting our movements across borders, we can not only force Amazon to change its ways, but lay the foundation for a world that prioritizes human dignity, not Jeff Bezos’ bank balance.” ” said Varsha Gandikota-Nellutia Progressive International Co-General Coordinator.

The event could affect the biggest shopping weekend of the year, although it’s not clear how many Amazon workers would attend. Thousands are believed to be on strike in Germany alone. Unions and allied groups for tax law, anti-poverty and garment workers’ rights will be part of the protest.

An Amazon spokesperson told ABC News, “This group is deliberately misleading and continues to promote a false narrative… The fact is, at Amazon, we provide great pay, great benefits and great opportunity.”

Jeff Bezos is the founder and executive chairman of Amazon
Jeff Bezos is the founder and executive chairman of Amazon (AFP via Getty Images)

Amazon spokeswoman Eileen Hards told Fox News: “The fact is, at Amazon, we provide great pay, great benefits and great opportunity — all from day one. We’ve created more than 1.5 million jobs around the world and counting , and we offer a modern, safe and engaging workplace, whether you work in an office or in one of our operational buildings.”

This is the fifth year that the organizers have held the “Make Amazon Pay” campaign.

The group took issue with Amazon’s work in the political arena. Amazon underreported its lobbying spending across Europe by millions, the group said, adding that Amazon refused to participate in public hearings, prompting the European Parliament to ban the company’s lobbyists.

In the United States, organizers are concerned that Amazon’s challenge to the National Labor Relations Board’s constitutionality will threaten the protections of American workers. In Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom, Amazon has been accused of intimidating workers to thwart unionization efforts.

“Amazon’s relentless pursuit of profit is going to cost workers, the environment and democracy,” said Christy Hoffman, general secretary of the UNI Global Union. “Bezos’ company has spent untold millions to stop workers from organizing, but the strikes and protests taking place around the world show that workers’ desire for justice – for union representation – cannot be stopped.

“We stand united in demanding that Amazon treat its workers fairly, respect basic rights, and stop undermining the systems meant to protect us all. ‘Make Amazon Pay Day’ is becoming a global act of resistance against Amazon’s Abuse of Power.”

The independent has asked Amazon for comment.