Workers and activists throughout Europe are gearing up for protests targeting U.S. e-commerce giant Amazon on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, aiming to disrupt warehouses and impede merchandise delivery to Amazon parcel lockers.
Black Friday, traditionally marked by in-store crowds in the U.S., has evolved into a global online shopping phenomenon, fueled in part by Amazon’s ten-day holiday discount extravaganza from November 17 to November 27.
In Germany, Amazon’s second-largest market in 2022, employees at five fulfillment centers will strike for 24 hours, commencing from midnight Thursday. The strike, organized by trade union Verdi, seeks a collective wage agreement. Amazon Germany asserts fair wages, starting at over 14 euros ($15.27) per hour, with additional benefits, ensuring reliable and timely Black Friday deliveries.
Over 1,000 workers at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse in England will strike on Friday, continuing a prolonged dispute over pay. Additionally, a demonstration is scheduled at Amazon’s UK headquarters in London, organized by trade union GMB.
Amazon’s parcel lockers are also under siege. In France, anti-globalization organization Attac is urging activists to cover lockers with posters and ticker tape, potentially obstructing delivery access. Last year, Attac estimates that 100 Amazon lockers in France were targeted.
Italian trade union CGIL calls for a Black Friday strike at the Castel San Giovanni warehouse, while Spanish union CCOO advocates for Amazon warehouse and delivery workers to stage a one-hour strike on each shift on “Cyber Monday,” the final day of Amazon’s ten-day sale.
The “Make Amazon Pay” global campaign, coordinated by UNI Global Union, announces strikes and protests in over 30 countries from Black Friday through Monday. Despite these disruptions, Amazon representatives express confidence in maintaining reliable and timely Black Friday deliveries.
