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BERLIN: A German union called on workers at seven Amazon warehouses to go on strike on Tuesday (October 13) to coincide with the global “Prime Day” promotional event that was postponed due to operational challenges from the Amazon pandemic. coronavirus.
Verdi said he was organizing the two-day strike as part of a long-running battle with Amazon in Germany for better wages and conditions, noting that a coronavirus bonus introduced for workers in Germany in March had been removed again in May.
An Amazon spokesperson said most employees continued to work normally despite the strike call. He said the company offered “excellent wages,” with benefits and working conditions comparable to other major employers.
Verdi has been organizing strikes at Amazon in Germany since 2013, the most recent in June protesting safety after some staff at fulfillment centers tested positive for the coronavirus.
Germany is Amazon’s largest market after the United States.
Prime Day, normally held in July to boost summer sales, is now the start of what will be a previous Christmas shopping season. Members-only discounts are a key way Amazon markets Prime, a fast shipping and media streaming service that incentivizes subscribers to make more purchases on Amazon.
A report from news site Reveal said the week around Prime Day last year was the most dangerous for injuries at Amazon fulfillment centers, prompting criticism from a prominent union. Amazon disputed the claims.
