Exclusive: Amazon faces fresh round of strikes amid Birmingham walkouts

Staff at the Coventry depot last walked out during Black Friday and strikes are set to continue after a fresh round of voting.

A GMB union spokesperson told Retail Week that strikes could occur in February but no dates have been formally set yet.

Workers at the Coventry depot started their walkouts exactly a year ago on January 25, while workers at the Birmingham depot began their first round of strike action today.

This morning’s strikes saw around 60 to 70 members join the picket line, which was “more than expected”, and walkouts will continue during the night shift this evening.

In regards to more strikes at the Birmingham depot, the GMB spokesperson said: “It’s clear they want to carry on.”

The Amazon Birmingham fulfilment centre opened in October 2023, with many workers from the Coventry site moving over to it. 

The GMB spokesperson said there is a lot of “anger” from the workers as they continue to fight for better pay.

He added that Amazon still has not offered to engage in talks with the union and said he is “constantly surprised” by how “unreasonable” the company is being.

A year on

Speaking about the strikes at Birmingham, GMB organiser Rachel Fagan said: “GMB members at Amazon have faced a year of struggle against an employer determined to stop their union.

“Amazon bosses will be hoping the industrial chaos will disappear, but instead it’s growing every day.

“For workers to down tools at Amazon’s new Birmingham HQ, just weeks after it opened its doors, goes to show how furious Amazon workers in the UK are.

“One year on from the first strike day, the message from GMB members at Amazon is the same: recognise GMB and end poverty pay.”

Amazon said of the Birmingham action: “Just 19 GMB members out of our 2,000 Sutton Coldfield fulfilment centre colleagues have voted in favour of industrial action. It will cause zero disruption for our customers.

“We regularly review our pay to ensure we offer competitive wages and benefits. By April, our minimum starting pay will have increased to £12.30 and £13 per hour depending on location; that’s a 20% increase over two years and 50% since 2018.

“We also work hard to provide great benefits, a positive work environment and excellent career opportunities. 

“These are just some of the reasons people want to come and work at Amazon, whether it’s their first job, a seasonal role or an opportunity for them to advance their career.”