Amazon workers urged to strike on Black Friday by union advocates (update)
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A coalition of progressive organizations urged Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) workers across the world to strike on Black Friday.
The call for work stoppages was forwarded by the Make Amazon Pay movement, which is supported by the UNI Global Union, Amazon Workers International, The Aapti Institute, 350.org, and The Progressive International. Per the group’s website, workers across the globe are striking on the crucial retail holiday, with protests particularly popular in Europe. Employees in over 40 nations are expected to protest on Friday.
The group criticized the Seattle-based tech giant on tax, environmental, and wage grounds, with a particular focus on the latter.
“We are workers and citizens divided by geography and our role in the global economy but united in our commitment to Make Amazon Pay fair wages, its taxes and for its impact on the planet,” the group said in a statement. “Amazon can afford to pay, but only will if we make it. That’s why we are rising up all around the world on Black Friday, 25 November 2022 to turn it into Make Amazon Pay day.”
Amazon responded in an email to SeekingAlpha that the protests represent "a variety of interests" while confirming the fact that some strikes are taking place.
"While we are not perfect in any area, if you objectively look at what Amazon is doing on these important matters, you’ll see that we do take our role and our impact very seriously," a spokesman told SeekingAlpha. "We are inventing and investing significantly in all these areas, playing a significant role in addressing climate change with the Climate Pledge commitment to be net zero carbon by 2040, continuing to offer competitive wages and great benefits, and inventing new ways to keep our employees safe and healthy in our operations network, to name just a few. Anyone can see for themselves by taking a tour at one of our sites."
Shares of the Seattle-based tech behemoth fell 0.76% during Friday's shortened session.
Read more on the tech giant’s plan to eliminate roles into 2023.