Amazon workers in the UK have officially begun balloting for union recognition.
GMB union officials entered Amazon’s Coventry fulfillment site for the first time, aiming to secure the votes of the 3,000 workers there.
The employees will vote on whether they want the GMB union to represent the.
Recognition will be granted only if 40 percent of the workforce votes.
Amazon has stated employees have always had the option to join a union.
It emphasized the company’s commitment to engaging with its staff.
If the GMB union succeeds, Amazon must negotiate with the union on workers’ terms, pay, and conditions at the Coventry site.
In response, Amazon will hold meetings to present their counter-arguments to the employees.
The ballot papers will be distributed on July 3, and workplace voting will start on July 8 and continue for six days.
The results are expected to be announced on July 15.
“Amazon, a multi-billion-pound global company, is investing significant resources to resist efforts by Coventry workers to improve their conditions”
The Government’s Central Arbitration Committee will supervise this ballot process.
Amanda Gearing, GMB’s senior organiser, described the event as historic.
She said: “Amazon, a multi-billion-pound global company, is investing significant resources to resist efforts by Coventry workers to improve their conditions.”
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Gearing emphasized workers have demanded the chance to vote for union recognition after a prolonged campaign by GMB that began 18 months ago and involved over 30 days of strike action.
An Amazon spokesperson reiterated that the company values direct engagement with its employees and highlighted the company’s culture of daily conversations and interactions.
They mentioned that starting pay has increased to between £12.30 and £13 per hour, depending on the location.
The spokesperson added: “We work hard to provide great benefits, a positive work environment, and excellent career opportunities.”
