Amazon workers in south Essex protest in rights dispute

Employees at the warehouse in Tilbury waved banners as they formed a picket line yesterday morning alongside workers in Dartford and London. 

It comes after members of the GMB Union representing staff at the site’s Midlands warehouse in Coventry launched legal action against the firm, claiming the US online retailer was coercing staff to cancel trade union membership. 

A ballot has been launched, running until July 15, for workers to officially be represented by the GMB Union - meaning the Coventry premise would be the first ever unionised Amazon workplace in Europe. 

At the Tilbury protest, workers highlighted problems at the workplace which included recurring themes of uncompassionate management, including when dealing with long-term illnesses and disabilities.

Historic: GMB member, John, at the protest with workers in Tilbury. (Image: John Colquhoun)

GMB member, John Colquhoun, who attended yesterday morning’s protest, said the ballot is an “historic moment” for workers.

He said: “Amazon have spent millions trying to keep GMB out, they need to focus that energy into working with GMB and resolve the long-standing problems at their sites.

“The efforts Amazon have gone to, to stop their workers unionising makes it clearer than ever how important it is for their employees to come together and negotiate collectively through a recognised trade union.

“Workers at Tilbury have told us in no uncertain terms that they are treated like a number, not a person and things like disabilities are routinely ignored.

“The ballot in Coventry is an historic moment for the trade union movement, it’s time for the workers to finally have their say on recognition.

“One of the problems we have at Amazon is that there is a deep-rooted fear culture and members are very fearful of potential repercussions.”

Amazon has repeatedly insisted that all staff have the choice of whether to join a union or not and “always have”.