Amazon Workers Plan Global Strike from Black Friday to Cyber Monday

Amazon workers and their allies are organizing a global strike during one of the retail giant’s busiest weekends, spanning Black Friday to Cyber Monday.

The strike, named “Make Amazon Pay,” is spearheaded by UNI Global Union and Progressive International and aims to draw attention to what organizers describe as Amazon’s labor abuses, environmental harm, and threats to democracy.

The strike will take place from Friday through Monday, traditionally peak shopping days due to widespread online sales. According to organizers, thousands of demonstrators across more than 20 countries are set to participate, including workers, trade unions, and advocacy groups.

Over 80 organizations have joined forces for the campaign, which plans protests in numerous cities. In Europe, cities in France will see demonstrations, while in Germany, thousands of workers are expected to join. Meanwhile, hundreds of participants are organizing protests in New Delhi, India.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the “Make Amazon Pay” campaign, which has consistently sought to hold Amazon accountable through collective action.

The movement accuses the company of prioritizing profit over the well-being of its workers, the environment, and society at large.

Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union, criticized Amazon’s relentless pursuit of profit. “Amazon’s business model comes at a high cost to its human workers, the economy, and democracy,” Hoffman said.

She further accused Amazon of spending exorbitant amounts to thwart worker organization efforts. “The strikes and protests happening around the world demonstrate that workers’ demand for justice and union representation cannot be stopped,” she added.

Jeff Bezos’s company has faced repeated accusations of unfair labor practices, and this strike is expected to disrupt operations significantly.

Reports from ABC News suggest the action could lead to delays in holiday deliveries, potentially frustrating customers during one of the most critical shopping periods of the year.

Amazon, however, has pushed back against the claims made by organizers. In a statement to ABC News, Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards defended the company’s treatment of workers.

“This group is being intentionally misleading and continues to promote a false narrative,” Hards said. “The fact is, at Amazon we provide great pay, great benefits, and great opportunities.”

The “Make Amazon Pay” campaign highlights the ongoing tension between Amazon and labor groups as the company continues to expand globally.

The growing solidarity among workers across countries signals increasing pressure on Amazon to address issues related to labor rights, environmental sustainability, and corporate accountability.

Whether the strike will lead to meaningful change or further escalate tensions remains to be seen.