As consumers browse Black Friday deals, a dissonant chorus resonates across Europe. It's not the sound of cashiers or the click of online purchases, but the unanimous cry of Amazon workers. From Germany to England via Italy, a wave of strikes has hit the e-commerce giant's warehouses, raising urgent questions about workers' rights and working conditions.
The reasons for the Black Friday protest
“Make Amazon Pay”, a campaign coordinated by the UNI Global Union, launched protests and strikes in more than 30 countries from America to Europe, starting on Black Friday. This day, which we used to associate with crowds of consumers in brick-and-mortar stores across the United States, has over time become a global online phenomenon, fueled in part by Amazon with its ten-day holiday discount promotion. Today, the protesting workers chose this "symbolic" day to demand attention. And I, with your permission, give it to him. No discounts today, for anyone.
The situation in Germany
In Germany, Amazon's second-largest marketplace by sales, the Verdi union reported that around 250 workers went on strike at an Amazon warehouse in Leipzig, about 20% of the workforce. Furthermore, 500 workers joined the strike at a warehouse in Rheinberg, almost 40% of the workers. The round-the-clock strike at five distribution centers began at midnight on Thursday to demand a collective wage agreement.
Amazon's response? A company spokesperson in Germany stressed that only a small number of workers were on strike and that workers are paid fair wages, with a starting salary of more than 14 euros an hour. He added that deliveries of Black Friday orders will still be reliable and timely.
Strikes in the United Kingdom
In Coventry, in England, over 200 workers they went on strike today in Amazon's warehouse as part of an ongoing wage dispute. The striking workers demanded a pay rise to £15 an hour. An Amazon UK spokesperson said the starting minimum wage is between £11,80 and £13 an hour depending on location and will increase to £12,30-£13 an hour from April 2024.
Situation in Italy and Spain
In Italy, as always the ballet of figures is a bit chaotic: the CGIL union stated that more than 60% of the workers in one of Amazon's warehouses joined the strike. Amazon reported that more than 86% of workers showed up for work. Who will be right? In Spain, the CCOO union has called Amazon warehouse and delivery workers to strike for one hour per shift, but without prejudice to Black Friday. Protest postponed for a few days, will be implemented during "Cyber Monday".
The protests in France
In France, the yellow vest vein echoes, but without excesses, even in Amazon sauce. Protesters targeted Lockers, (Amazon lockers located in train stations, supermarket car parks and street corners, and used by many customers to receive orders). Many lockers in Paris and other cities in France were covered in posters and tape, according to the anti-globalization organization Attac, which planned the, it should be noted, non-violent protest.
The broader context of the “Black Friday” protests.
Despite the protests, Amazon remains super popular in Europe, with 146 million active users on the app in October, compared to Shein's 64 million and Temu's 51 million (which are growing at breakneck speed). However, this protest movement raises crucial questions about the sustainability of labor practices in e-commerce and the social responsibility of large corporations in a global economy.
While consumers enjoy the benefits of increasingly accessible online commerce, workers behind the scenes are fighting for fair working conditions and adequate wages. This dichotomy between the allure of consumerism and the reality of warehouse work is a challenge that requires concrete action from companies and governments, and a lot of attention.
Yours too.
