The GMB Union, which represents the workers involved, said it expects 300 employees out of a total 1,000 at the plant to turn up to the walkout. Workers are planning to hold a larger scale demonstration from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. London time. Staff are unhappy with a pay increase of 50 pence (56 U.S. cents) per hour, equivalent to 5% and well below inflation. Amazon introduced the pay hike last summer. But warehouse workers say it fails to match the rising cost of living. They want the company to pay a minimum 15 pounds an hour. They also want better working conditions. Amazon workers have raised concerns about long working hours, high injury rates, and the unrelenting pace of work, as well as aggressive, tech-enhanced monitoring of employees. “We all saw the profits they’re making during the pandemic — that’s what angered people more,” said Darren Westwood, one of Amazon’s warehouse workers taking part in the strike. “We were expecting a better increase than what they were imposing.”
“Someone the other day said we’re treated like robots — no, robots are treated better,” Westwood told CNBC.
Further reading: Amazon To Layoff Over 18,000 Employees
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