Some of Amazon.com Inc.’s (NASDAQ: AMZN) German workforce have called another strike. The action follows several others, as Amazon employees at several of its distribution centers try to get better compensation.
According to the Ver.di union website:
Verdi calls the employees at Amazon this week again to work stoppages on. For the first time the mail order company is doing from day strike simultaneously at five locations, namely in Bad Hersfeld (Hesse), Leipzig (Saxony), digging (Bavaria), Werne and Rheinberg (both North Rhine-Westphalia). The walkout starts today in Bad Hersfeld and Leipzig with the night shift, trench, Werne and Rheinberg follow with the morning shift. [via Google Translate]
Amazon has blocked collective bargaining as well. Part of Amazon’s argument is that warehouse workers are not “retail” workers and therefore are not subject to “retail” worker pay.
The union addressed the ongoing subject when referring to strikes last month:
A collective agreement may effectively put a high working pressure and significant health burdens in shifts, at night and on weekends boundaries,” says Stefanie Nutzenberger, Verdi national executive member with responsibility for trade. A collective agreement, which guarantees the existence-securing income workers and working conditions with protection rules on working hours, holidays or breaks, is also a matter of respect, the Amazon owe its employees.
In Bad Hersfeld, Leipzig, Rheinberg and Graben the strikes continue until and including Wednesday at the end of the late shift, in Werne until Tuesday at the end of the late shift. Last around 2,000 employees took part in at Amazon more day strike in September. The mail order company denied its workers a collective agreement so far, not even to collective bargaining is one of Amazon ready. [via Google Translate]
ALSO READ: The 20 Most Profitable Companies in the World
Amazon has dodged the pressure for unionization in Germany so far. However, the series of strikes could hurt its business in the country if workers can effectively hamper Amazon’s ability to get products to its customers in the nation that is Europe’s largest economy by gross domestic product.
There is a small chance that, if German unions are able to get Amazon workers better wages, then the e-commerce giant’s U.S. warehouse workers may wonder if they can bring pressure about wages on it as well.
The #1 Thing to Do Before You Claim Social Security (Sponsor)
Choosing the right (or wrong) time to claim Social Security can dramatically change your retirement. So, before making one of the biggest decisions of your financial life, it’s a smart idea to get an extra set of eyes on your complete financial situation.
A financial advisor can help you decide the right Social Security option for you and your family. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you optimize your Social Security outcomes.
Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!
By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.
By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.