On Thursday (July 27th), Britain's GMB trade union announced that over a thousand workers at two Amazon fulfilment centres in England are set to engage in strike action in early August as part of an ongoing pay dispute.&nbsp;

The industrial action is expected to have wider ramifications, signalling a prolonged battle for workers' rights within the e-commerce giant, Amazon.

<h2>'Fight for workers' right only just beginning'</h2>

Rachel Fagan, the Senior Organiser at GMB, stated in a press release, "This industrial action will spread further: it’s clear the fight for workers’ rights at Amazon is only just beginning."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pay-issues-strike-again-950-ground-workers-at-gatwick-airport-set-to-stage-eight-day-protest-615595">UK: Pay issues strike again, 950 ground workers at Gatwick airport set to stage eight-day protest</a>

As per a Reuters report quoting&nbsp;the union's schedule, employees at the Rugeley facility will walk out on August 3rd and 4th, while those at the Coventry centre will take action on August 4th and 5th.&nbsp;

<h2>Amazon responds to looming strikes</h2>

The strikes are aimed at drawing attention to the concerns over wages and benefits at the company. However, in response to the looming strikes, Amazon defended its stance on employee compensation.&nbsp;

An Amazon spokesperson highlighted the recent pay increases, stating, "In less than a year, our minimum pay has risen by 10 per cent and by more than 37 per cent since 2018."

The company, as per Reuters, asserted that it regularly reviews its pay structure to ensure competitive wages and attractive benefits for its workforce.&nbsp;

<h2>Previous strikes</h2>

The forthcoming strike is not an isolated incident. In June, the GMB trade union reported that Amazon workers in Coventry, who had already conducted several walkouts since January, voted in favour of extending industrial action for an additional six months.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-junior-doctors-begin-longest-single-walkout-in-nhss-history-over-pay-issues-615098">Thousands of UK doctors begin ‘longest walkout’ in NHS history over pay issues</a>

The dispute in England adds to the ongoing debates surrounding workers' rights and corporate responsibility. Also in August, nearly a thousand airport workers at Gatwick Airport in England are set to strike over pay issues.&nbsp;

Around 950 airport workers working at four firms — ASC, Menzies Aviation, GGS and DHL Services — which provide services like baggage handling, ground handling and check-in work, to multiple airlines including the British Airways, EasyJet, Ryanair, Tui, Westjet and Wizz will be on strike starting tomorrow (Friday, July 28th). The first strike will last till Tuesday, August 1st. Following this, they will once again strike from Friday, August 4th to Tuesday, August 8th.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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On Thursday (July 27th), Britain's GMB trade union announced that over a thousand workers at two Amazon fulfilment centres in England are set to engage in strike action in early August as part of an ongoing pay dispute.

On Thursday (July 27th), Britain's GMB trade union announced that over a thousand workers at two Amazon fulfilment centres in England are set to engage in strike action in early August as part of an ongoing pay dispute. The industrial action is expected to have wider ramifications, signalling a prolonged battle for workers' rights within the e-commerce giant, Amazon. 'Fight for workers' right only just beginning' Rachel Fagan, the Senior Organiser at GMB, stated in a press release, "This industrial action will spread further: it’s clear the fight for workers’ rights at Amazon is only just beginning." Also read | UK: Pay issues strike again, 950 ground workers at Gatwick airport set to stage eight-day protest As per a Reuters report quoting the union's schedule, employees at the Rugeley facility will walk out on August 3rd and 4th, while those at the Coventry centre will take action on August 4th and 5th. Amazon responds to looming strikes The strikes are aimed at drawing attention to the concerns over wages and benefits at the company. However, in response to the looming strikes, Amazon defended its stance on employee compensation. An Amazon spokesperson highlighted the recent pay increases, stating, "In less than a year, our minimum pay has risen by 10 per cent and by more than 37 per cent since 2018." The company, as per Reuters, asserted that it regularly reviews its pay structure to ensure competitive wages and attractive benefits for its workforce. Previous strikes The forthcoming strike is not an isolated incident. In June, the GMB trade union reported that Amazon workers in Coventry, who had already conducted several walkouts since January, voted in favour of extending industrial action for an additional six months. Also read | Thousands of UK doctors begin ‘longest walkout’ in NHS history over pay issues The dispute in England adds to the ongoing debates surrounding workers' rights and corporate responsibility. Also in August, nearly a thousand airport workers at Gatwick Airport in England are set to strike over pay issues. Around 950 airport workers working at four firms — ASC, Menzies Aviation, GGS and DHL Services — which provide services like baggage handling, ground handling and check-in work, to multiple airlines including the British Airways, EasyJet, Ryanair, Tui, Westjet and Wizz will be on strike starting tomorrow (Friday, July 28th). The first strike will last till Tuesday, August 1st. Following this, they will once again strike from Friday, August 4th to Tuesday, August 8th. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Amazon workers from two facilities in UK to stage strikes over pay dispute

Royal Mail delivery staff in the United Kingdom launched a 48-hour strike on Friday, a move attached to a worsening dispute over pay. Postal deliveries across the country were hit after Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) walked out.&nbsp;

The union said the walkout by about 115,000 of its members is the biggest strike of the year amid long-running disputes in other sectors. The two sides held talks on Thursday, but there was no sign of any progress. The union is reportedly planning to step up industrial action in the coming weeks.

Another 19 days of strikes are on the cards on different days throughout October and November in a significant escalation of the dispute.

Dave Ward, the CWU’s general secretary, was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera, “This is a significant announcement, but it is one which matches the level of anger our members feel at the way Royal Mail Group has treated them."

“The chief executive of Royal Mail Group is treating postal workers as if they are stupid. These are the same people that have kept the country connected and returned Royal Mail Group to record profit,” he said.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Royal Mail said the impact of CWU's action will be seen on the company's financial position and the job security of its members.

“Royal Mail is losing one million pounds ($1.1 million) a day. We operate in a competitive market, and our customers have choices. Continued strike action will force our customers to make those choices sooner rather than later,” the spokesman said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Royal Mail delivery staff in the United Kingdom launched a 48-hour strike on Friday, a move attached to a worsening dispute over pay. Postal deliveries across the country were hit after Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) walked out.

Royal Mail delivery staff in the United Kingdom launched a 48-hour strike on Friday, a move attached to a worsening dispute over pay. Postal deliveries across the country were hit after Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) walked out. The union said the walkout by about 115,000 of its members is the biggest strike of the year amid long-running disputes in other sectors. The two sides held talks on Thursday, but there was no sign of any progress. The union is reportedly planning to step up industrial action in the coming weeks. Another 19 days of strikes are on the cards on different days throughout October and November in a significant escalation of the dispute. Dave Ward, the CWU’s general secretary, was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera, “This is a significant announcement, but it is one which matches the level of anger our members feel at the way Royal Mail Group has treated them." “The chief executive of Royal Mail Group is treating postal workers as if they are stupid. These are the same people that have kept the country connected and returned Royal Mail Group to record profit,” he said. Meanwhile, a spokesman for Royal Mail said the impact of CWU's action will be seen on the company's financial position and the job security of its members. “Royal Mail is losing one million pounds ($1.1 million) a day. We operate in a competitive market, and our customers have choices. Continued strike action will force our customers to make those choices sooner rather than later,” the spokesman said. (With inputs from agencies)

Postal deliveries hit across UK as Royal Mail workers strike over pay dispute

For the first time since 1989, workers at the largest container port in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/underdog-has-got-nothing-to-lose-he-fights-for-every-inch-rishi-sunak-in-campaign-video-508901">UK</a> have gone on strike, prompting warnings from shipping firms and union leaders that the action would affect supply chains and make consumers wait longer for their purchases.

Approximately 1,900 Unite members in Felixstowe have left their job in a salary dispute, marking the most recent round of industrial action to affect a variety of economic sectors.

Following a vote in favour of strikes by a margin of more than nine to one, workers, including crane drivers, machine operators, and stevedores, will take action. The eight-day strike, according to the union, will have a significant effect on the port, which receives about 4 million containers annually from 2,000 ships.

As transportation workers protest for improved pay and working conditions, the strike is the most recent industrial action to negatively impact the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-urged-to-rethink-its-genetics-data-sharing-policy-with-china-508860">UK economy </a>over the weekend's extensive disruption of rail and bus services. Workers in several sectors are battling for pay raises as a result of the ongoing cost of living problem, which has seen an increase in the cost of food and energy bills.

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The action may require ships to be diverted to ports in the UK or Europe since Felixstowe handles approximately half of the containerized freight entering the country.

A port spokesperson said:&nbsp;“There will be no winners from a strike which will only result in their members losing money they would otherwise have earned. Our focus has been to find a solution that works for our employees and protects the future success of the port.

“The union has rejected the company’s offer to meet again.”

According to the Guardian, Unite would be willing to attend more talks only if the company increased its pay offer above 7%.

The union has previously rejected this offer, claiming that it falls below the preferred inflation rate of 11.8% for the retail prices index (RPI), despite the fact that workers only earned a 1.4% salary raise last year. According to company statistics, Felixstowe dock employees make an average of £43,000 a year.

The port's success and decision to distribute multimillion-pound dividends to investors have been cited by Unite. According to its most current financial statements, Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company generated a pre-tax profit of over £61 million in 2020.

Unite’s national officer, Robert Morton, told the Guardian that&nbsp;the port “can afford to put forward a reasonable pay offer to our members but once again has chosen not to”, adding: “That decision was driven by greed, not need.”

He added: “Unite’s door remains open for further talks but strike action will go ahead unless the company tables an offer that our members can accept.”

The Hong Kong-based company CK Hutchison Holdings, which also owns the Superdrug drugstore chain and the Three mobile phone network, owns the Felixstowe port, which has not experienced a strike since 1989.

Any protracted labour unrest at the docks would very surely cause the container port to shut down, have an effect on the UK's supply chain, and further hurt the British economy as it prepares for a recession.

The logistics hub manages roughly 45,000 containers per week, or about 40% of the containers entering and departing the UK, carrying items such consumer goods, apparel, and canned food.

(With inputs from agencies)

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For the first time since 1989, workers at the largest container port in the UK have gone on strike, prompting warnings from shipping firms and union leaders that the action would affect supply chains and make consumers wait longer for their purchases.

For the first time since 1989, workers at the largest container port in the UK have gone on strike, prompting warnings from shipping firms and union leaders that the action would affect supply chains and make consumers wait longer for their purchases. Approximately 1,900 Unite members in Felixstowe have left their job in a salary dispute, marking the most recent round of industrial action to affect a variety of economic sectors. Following a vote in favour of strikes by a margin of more than nine to one, workers, including crane drivers, machine operators, and stevedores, will take action. The eight-day strike, according to the union, will have a significant effect on the port, which receives about 4 million containers annually from 2,000 ships. As transportation workers protest for improved pay and working conditions, the strike is the most recent industrial action to negatively impact the UK economy over the weekend's extensive disruption of rail and bus services. Workers in several sectors are battling for pay raises as a result of the ongoing cost of living problem, which has seen an increase in the cost of food and energy bills. Also read | Polio in the US, UK, and Israel reveals an uncommon danger of the oral vaccine The action may require ships to be diverted to ports in the UK or Europe since Felixstowe handles approximately half of the containerized freight entering the country. A port spokesperson said: “There will be no winners from a strike which will only result in their members losing money they would otherwise have earned. Our focus has been to find a solution that works for our employees and protects the future success of the port. “The union has rejected the company’s offer to meet again.” According to the Guardian, Unite would be willing to attend more talks only if the company increased its pay offer above 7%. The union has previously rejected this offer, claiming that it falls below the preferred inflation rate of 11.8% for the retail prices index (RPI), despite the fact that workers only earned a 1.4% salary raise last year. According to company statistics, Felixstowe dock employees make an average of £43,000 a year. The port's success and decision to distribute multimillion-pound dividends to investors have been cited by Unite. According to its most current financial statements, Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company generated a pre-tax profit of over £61 million in 2020. Unite’s national officer, Robert Morton, told the Guardian that the port “can afford to put forward a reasonable pay offer to our members but once again has chosen not to”, adding: “That decision was driven by greed, not need.” He added: “Unite’s door remains open for further talks but strike action will go ahead unless the company tables an offer that our members can accept.” The Hong Kong-based company CK Hutchison Holdings, which also owns the Superdrug drugstore chain and the Three mobile phone network, owns the Felixstowe port, which has not experienced a strike since 1989. Any protracted labour unrest at the docks would very surely cause the container port to shut down, have an effect on the UK's supply chain, and further hurt the British economy as it prepares for a recession. The logistics hub manages roughly 45,000 containers per week, or about 40% of the containers entering and departing the UK, carrying items such consumer goods, apparel, and canned food. (With inputs from agencies) Also watch | Reports: Darya Dugina killed in a car explosion in Moscow

UK: Strike at port of Felixstowe set to disrupt supply chains

Workers at London's Heathrow airport have voted to strike over pay as surging inflation erodes salaries and sparks industrial unrest. Over 700 workers are set to strike during the British summer holidays when the demand from travellers will be expected to be at its peak.

UK: British Airways workers vote to strike over wages