Hundreds of workers at online giant Amazon will be voted in to strike over pay.
The GMB union said its Coventry-based members will be the first Amazon workers in the UK to take part in a formal industrial action vote.
The ballot closes in mid-October, with any industrial action likely to take place in November, the union said.
GMB chief executive Amanda Gearing said: “These Amazon workers will be the first in the UK to take part in a formal strike vote – they are making history.
“They are being offered a 35p an hour pay rise during the worst cost of living crisis in a generation, and this is from a company worth over a trillion pounds.
BREAKING ?: GMB begins historic first formal strike vote at UK Amazon warehouse ??
— GMB Union (@GMB_union) September 15, 2022
“Understandably, they are furious.
“Amazon can afford to do better. It’s not too late to avoid strike action and get around the table with GMB to improve pay and conditions for workers.”
Amazon has previously said: “Starting pay for Amazon employees has risen to a minimum of between £10.50 and £11.45 an hour, depending on location.
“This represents a 29% increase in the minimum hourly wage paid to Amazon associates since 2018.
“In addition to this, employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package including private health insurance, life insurance, income protection, subsidized meals, an employee discount and more, which together are worth thousands of pounds per annum, as well as a company pension plan.”
