// Amazon workers in Rugeley and Mansfield are to be balloted on industrial action
// The ballots at Rugeley and Mansfield will begin on May 12 and run for four weeks until June 9
Amazon is facing another round of strikes in the UK as union members at two more of its fulfilment centres back industrial action over pay in a ballot.
More than 150 workers at the online giant‘s Rugeley and Mansfield overwhelmingly backed strikes in a consultative ballot, said GMB union.
The Rugeley fulfilment centre at Towers Business Park saw 98% of members vote for escalation, while 100% backed strike action at Amazon Mansfield.
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There have already been 14 days of strikes at the Amazon’s Coventry depot, which saw as many as 700 workers down tools in the UK’s first-ever strike at an Amazon fulfilment centre.
The union said this has caused a “domino effect” in other areas.
Workers have since submitted a request for union recognition after GMB reached the membership threshold for mandatory recognition, which could mark Amazon’s first union recognition in Europe.
The ballots at Rugely and Mansfield will run until June 9.
GMB senior organiser Amanda Gearing said: “This is no time for sound bites; but Amazon workers are fighting back against a pay rise of pennies from one of the world’s wealthiest corporations.
“This escalation will now see workers in two further fulfilment centres asked to have their say on downing tools and walking out to deliver pay justice.
“We’ve already seen enormous enthusiasm from workers at Mansfield and Rugeley to take action, now it will be up to their union to move forward with the campaign.
“We warned Amazon that this could fast become a summer of strike chaos if they refused to sit down and talk pay. Amazon Coventry workers have risen up, now we are seeing a domino effect.
“With strike action escalating and historical union recognition on the horizon, it’s time for Amazon to get real and get around the table.”
In response, Amazon has said: “We regularly review our pay to ensure we offer competitive wages, and recently announced another increase for our UK teams. Over the past seven months, our minimum pay has risen by 10 per cent and by more than 37% since 2018.
“We also work hard to provide great benefits, a positive work environment and excellent career opportunities. These are just some of the reasons people want to come and work at Amazon, whether it’s their first job, a seasonal role or an opportunity for them to advance their career.”
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