21
February
2013
Protests have been held today outside a number of Amazon offices in a row over workers’ pay and conditions.
The union GMB arranged the protests outside nine Amazon centres, including Doncaster, Swansea, Peterborough and Glenrothes. Paul Clarke, GMB national officer accused the online retailer of failing to pay taxes and treating their staff poorly. He told the BBC: “Profitable companies like Amazon, dodging fair taxes while failing to pay their staff a living wage and treat them properly, deserve a corporate Asbo.” He also accused the company of denying staff the right to union representation. In Doncaster around 20 protestors dressed as grim reapers, wearing masks of David Cameron and Nick Clegg.
In a statement, Amazon said it pays “all applicable taxes in every jurisdiction that it operates within”. It added: “We are proud of providing our associates with a safe and positive working environment, which includes on-the-job training and opportunities for career progression”.
The Living Wage is now a GMB Trade-Union campaign. Please visit our campaigns page for more information on all our campaigns
