Amazon workers force U-turn on warehouse closure payments

GMB Union has responded to the news that Amazon’s UK operation has confirmed full pay for workers during fulfilment centre ‘shut downs’ – the pre-planned closures to allow maintenance or other work on site.

Workers at Amazon’s UK fulfilment centres have historically been forced to lose a days pay when fulfilment centres closed, or been expected to use a day of annual leave to cover the closure.

The policy change was a core demand of the Union’s recent pay claim at the company and comes just weeks after Amazon bosses clashed with MP’s over their treatment of striking workers.

Amanda Gearing, GMB Senior Organiser, said:

“Fulfilment centre shutdowns are pre-planned and company bosses know about them months in advance.

Until now, workers have been expected to stomach the loss of a day’s pay when they happen; it was nothing short of time theft.

Now Amazon bosses have been left red faced as workers have forced them to end outdated and unfair employment practises.

Only a union at Amazon will make it a fair a responsible employer, and our members won’t rest until that happens”.