The Verdi union has started strikes lasting several days at seven German locations of the mail order company Amazon. According to the information, employees stopped working in the two distribution centers in Bad Hersfeld, in Koblenz, Leipzig, Rheinberg, Graben and Werne. Also on Tuesday there should be a strike for better data protection and higher pay, as a Verdi spokesman said in Berlin. The campaigns then continue at different locations for different lengths of time.
An overall balance can only be drawn at the end of the strike wave, said the Verdi representative. Around 2,500 participants and disruptions to operational processes are expected. Amazon, on the other hand, says it does not expect any effects on customers. The retailer operates 17 distribution centers nationwide and can also relocate flows of goods to neighboring countries.
Since 2013, Verdi has been trying to force the US company to recognize the collective agreement for retail and mail order with a labor dispute. Amazon, on the other hand, insists on paying the employees as logisticians. One believes in a combination of fair wages and attractive additional benefits, said a spokesman. “All employees in logistics at Amazon earn upwards of twelve euros gross per hour plus extras. After 12 and 24 months, the wage increases automatically.”
According to Verdi, employees also request information about personal data that may be stored by the company. “We know the company has been spying on its employees. Employees have a right to know if Amazon is collecting video, audio, social media, union membership information or other personal information in violation of EU data protection laws.” said UNI Global Union general secretary Christy Hoffman.