'Action on Amazon' campaigners raise awareness of new employee hotline

Members of Unite the Union were at Flint Castle and the William Gladstone Library in Hawarden on Wednesday to highlight a new hotline that Amazon workers can use to blow the whistle on alleged poor treatment.

It comes as calls grow for a new deal for the workers that have helped make Amazon a multibillion pound company.

Campaigners at Flint castle on Wednesday.

The union has begun a digital Facebook advertising campaign to ensure Amazon workers know that they can confidentially raise issues of concern free from reprisals by calling 08000 141 461 or visiting the https://actiononamazon.org/hotline/.

Amazon has a delivery station in Deeside - one of a huge network of warehouse space across the country.

The company occupies a third of all warehouse space in the UK.

Unite said: "Workers toil around the clock to get the essentials delivered to homes during the current health crisis. Amazon's total net sales attributable to the UK increased from $14.5 billion in 2018 to $26.5 billion in 2020 - that's an increase of 82 per cent.

"But Amazon strongly resists attempts by workers to gain a collective voice of their own."

Campaigners at Gladstone Library on Wednesday.

Amazon refutes this claim and says it "respects" its employees’ right to join, form or not to join a labour union or other lawful organization of their own selection.

Across Amazon, including in its delivery stations, the company says it places "enormous value" on having daily conversations with each employee and works to make sure direct engagement with its employees is a "strong part" of its work culture.

An Amazon spokesperson said: “The fact is we already offer our employees excellent pay, excellent benefits and excellent opportunities for career growth, all while working in a safe, modern work environment.

"Our competitive wages start at £9.70 or £10.80 per hour depending on location, and we’d encourage anyone to compare this to the wages and benefits offered by other retailers.

"We’re proud to have created 10,000 new permanent roles across the UK in 2020, taking our total permanent UK workforce to more than 40,000. Our people have played a critical role in serving customers in these unprecedented times and the new roles help us continue to meet customer demand and support small and medium sized businesses selling on Amazon."

Unite executive officer, Sharon Graham, said: “Calls are growing for a new deal for Amazon workers.

“This corporate giant has made billions off the backs of workers. Amazon resists any attempts by workers to gain a collective voice of their own. It is now time that workers have a voice.”

Campaigners at Gladstone Library.