On November 27, as the world gears up for Cyber Monday, Spain’s CCOO union rallies 20,000 strong—comprising warehouse and delivery personnel at Amazon’s local unit. This one-hour strike per shift is a resolute call for improved wages and enhanced working conditions.
In a pivotal move with three daily shifts at Amazon in Spain, the strike is a symbolic gesture, signifying a potential paradigm shift. Douglas Harper, Amazon’s union secretary general at CCOO, hints at this being just the beginning, with future actions under consideration. The union advocates for a comprehensive revamp—better labor safety, acknowledgment of workplace risks, increased human resources, and a commensurate rise in wages, citing a disparity with the current workload.
Responding to the call, a local Amazon spokesperson asserts, «Our dedicated staff across Spain operate in a secure, modern environment with competitive compensation and benefits.»
As Cyber Monday unfolds on the heels of Thanksgiving, retailers anticipate heightened consumer activity. While not a traditional European holiday, online retailers like Amazon extend enticing discounts akin to the U.S.
This Spanish worker mobilization mirrors a global trend of Amazon employees voicing concerns about working conditions. In the UK, a recent worker walkout emphasizes the mounting pressure for unionization.
Notwithstanding these challenges, Amazon’s footprint in Spain expands rapidly, encompassing e-commerce logistics and data centers supporting Amazon Web Services, its cloud computing unit.
Amidst this dynamic landscape, the stand by Spanish Amazon workers resonates as a pivotal moment, echoing the global call for fair labor practices. As Cyber Monday unfolds, the message is clear: it’s not just about deals but a commitment to the well-being of the workforce driving the digital commerce engine.