Amazon workers around the world are called to strike on Black Friday

Workers at Amazon sites around the world, including the United States, Germany and France, were called to strike this Black Friday (25), targeting the online retailer on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

The Make Amazon Pay initiative, which called for strikes for better wages, said industrial actions were planned in more than 30 countries.

Germany’s Verdi union said work stoppages had been planned at 10 call centers across the country. He demanded that the company recognize collective bargaining agreements for the retail and mail order sector and called for a new collective agreement for good working conditions.

“As an employer, Amazon offers great wages, benefits and development opportunities – all in an attractive and safe working environment,” a company spokesman in Germany said in a statement.

Among other things, the spokesperson pointed to a salary increase for the company’s logistics employees in Germany from September, with the starting salary now at 13 euros (US$13.52) per hour or more, including bonus payouts.

On Friday morning, the company said the vast majority of its employees in Germany were working normally, with strikes limited to nine of its 20 call centers.

An Amazon France spokesman said there had been no signs of a disruption in operations so far.

“This is the first time that Amazon has had an international strike day,” said Monika Di Silvestre, Verdi’s representative for Amazon workers.

“This is very important, because a large global corporation like Amazon cannot be confronted locally, regionally or nationally alone,” he added.