Amazon to offer warehouse workers term-time only contracts

The ecommerce giant said the new contract will mean those eligible can take six weeks of holiday in the summer and two weeks over the Easter and Christmas breaks.

Amazon regional operations director Neil Travis said: “We spent a lot of time listening to our employees and one of the things that we were learning is that they really wanted more flexible opportunities.” 

He hopes the new offer will encourage people back into the workplace and added that the contract still entitles staff to full-time benefits.

Amazon has announced the new contract in the midst of strike action by hundreds of warehouse employees through the GMB union as they fight for an increase in wages to £15 an hour.

Workers at Amazon Coventry have striked for a total of 16 days this year with the most recent occurring on May 24 and 26. Strikes are set to continue as other warehouses are backing industrial action.

GMB senior organiser Amanda Gearing said flexible contracts are welcome, but the main priority for workers is better pay.

She said: “I don’t think this is what they’re looking for right now. They want more money in their pocket, what they’re telling us is they can’t live on poverty pay.”

The union has recently applied to the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) for statutory recognition as 800 Coventry staff are now members and make up a majority of the workforce.

Travis said: “The GMB have made a formal application to CAC and we are working with the CAC as part of that process. 

“We continue to focus on engaging directly with our employees and we continue to offer a really attractive rate of pay and comprehensive benefits.”