Hundreds of Amazon workers in Germany are striking and protesting in anger on Black Friday over the company’s working condition and demanding for a better pay. The strike which was coordinated by the powerful Verdi union is set to last until Tuesday morning and will also cover “Cyber Monday”, another extravaganza of online discounts in what is a crucial sales period for Amazon.
READ ALSO: Many Nigerians Anticipate Konga Black Friday
Verdi spokeswoman Eva Voelpel disclosed that “several hundred” employees had started the stoppage at Amazon distribution centres in Leipzig, Bad Hersfeld, Koblenz, Rheinberg, Werne and Graben.
“As a result, many employees become ill,” Verdi said. Amazon played down the strike’s impact, saying “packages will arrive on time”. The company has long resisted the union’s call for labour negotiations, defending its work environment and insisting that is “one of the best employers in the logistics industry”.
“We pay at the upper end of what is usual for comparable work, we offer additional benefits and review wages annually,” the company said.
The majority of its 13,000 employees in 13 logistics centres across Germany will be working “as normal”, it added. Amazon has been hit by repeated strikes in Germany and other countries in recent years. Last year’s “Black Friday” event saw stoppages by workers in Spain, Germany and Britain.
Juliet Ekwebelam
