Amazon employees at sites at several distribution centres in Germany are striking to achieve a collective bargaining agreement.
The strikes begun on Sunday and are taking place at sites in Rheinberg, Werne, Bad Hersfeld and Koblenz throughout this week.
The United Service Union (ver.di) is leading the strikes, pushing to improve wages and implement binding collective agreements.
Amazon said it had seen “very limited participation” in the strikes and that the strikes were having “zero operational impact and therefore no impact on customer deliveries”.
Stefanie Nutzenberger, member of the board at ver.di, said: “[Employees] continue to uphold their right to a collective bargaining agreement to negotiate living wages and good working conditions between the union and the employer.
“They also want to end the arbitrariness of a trading company, which puts pressure on its employees with work hassles and comprehensive controls. Collective agreements are a sign of respect and recognition of work. That’s what the employees demand from Amazon.”
“Amazon proves every day that you can be a fair and responsible employer without a collective agreement,” said an Amazon spokesperson. “In our fulfillment centres, our wages are at the upper end of what is paid in comparable jobs.”
The union is also targeting Abercrombie & Fitch and Aldi.
Couriers, who are classed as self-employed, will be able to receive pro rata holiday pay and guaranteed earnings of £8.55 per hour by choosing to become “self-employed plus”.
The package works through an opt-in model, meaning that those who wish to retain their current status and earn premium rates can do so.
