The GMB union has accused Amazon of “dirty tricks” after it was “forced” to withdraw its bid for recognition. 

The union has accused Amazon of going on a “massive recruitment drive” after it submitted a request for recognition, and alleged that Amazon was paying an additional 1,300 workers “to try to bust the union”. 

GMB launched a bid for union recognition in April when the number of striking workers at Amazon Coventry reached 800, believing this was more than half the warehouse’s workforce and a bid for statutory recognition could be made.

The union claimed Amazon “publicly stated” there were 1,400 workers at the warehouse last year, but when making an application to the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC), Amazon reported it had 2,700 staff and the CAC accepted the claim.

Retail Week understands that, since operations began in Coventry in 2018, the number of staff has fluctuated between 1,400 and 3,000, based on demand.

GMB senior organiser Stuart Richards said: “GMB has expressed serious concerns to the CAC, both about the accuracy of the information Amazon has given to the committee and what we believe are immoral anti-union tactics. 

“While we have no alternative but to withdraw the application for statutory recognition, we are not going away. 

“GMB members at Amazon are not giving up the fight for a wage they can live off and they won’t give up the fight for union recognition.”

In response to the claims, an Amazon spokesperson told Retail Week: “At Amazon, we regularly recruit new team members, across the country and across the year, providing great new career opportunities for thousands of people and to meet customer demand. This year is no different.

“We respect our employees’ rights to join, or to not join, a union. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, opportunities for career growth, all while working in a safe, modern work environment.

“At Amazon, these benefits and opportunities come with the job, as does the ability to communicate directly with the leadership of the company.”

Further strike action at Amazon Coventry will take place on June 12, 13 and 14.

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