Verdi announces Christmas strikes at Amazon

The United Services Union (Verdi) has announced nationwide strikes at various Amazon locations over the Christmas period. The strike action in Werne in North Rhine-Westphalia starts on Thursday, December 19th. Verdi wants to “hit the online giant at sensitive points” through a work stoppage in order to protest through pressure in the fight for fair working conditions. The union is calling for the recognition of the retail and mail order collective agreement and the conclusion of a collective agreement. Verdi is also calling for strikes at other Amazon locations by the end of the year.

This year, there will also be a nationwide strike in the United States for the first time: There, too, the focus is on the working conditions of Amazon employees; the demands of the Teamsters union are directed against Amazon’s violations of federal labor law, in particular against the refusal to recognize the union and to negotiate with her.

“Solidarity knows no national borders,” said Verdi federal board member Silke Zimmer. “Ver.di is networked with other unions and Amazon employees worldwide. The knowledge of each other and the exchange of Amazon’s procedures and ways of dealing with employees is our strength. Our actions will show that we will not let up. We continue to fight for fair wages, safe working conditions and the recognition of collective agreements.”

“The Teamsters are proud to join UNI Global Union and Verdi in fighting Amazon’s greed and corruption,” said Teamsters President Sean M. O’Brien. “Amazon thrives on exploiting workers and avoiding accountability, but unions around the world agree on our demands: Amazon workers deserve good wages, safety and respect.”