Strike Friday: Amazon warehouse workers walkout on biggest shopping day of the year in dispute over pay

Amazon warehouse workers have gone on strike this morning as Black Friday - one of the biggest shopping days of the year - starts in a bitter dispute over pay.

More than 1,000 workers at Amazon's Coventry warehouse have walked out as they fight for higher pay on the 28th day of action in the dispute which union leaders say will be a 'turning point in Amazon's history'.

The online shopping giant is braced for walkouts and demonstrations across the UK, Europe and the US today - as it faces its biggest day of industrial action in its 30-year existence, the GMB union said.

In London, a mass protest will take outside Amazon's UK headquarters at 12pm today, GMB said.

Amazon's Coventry fulfilment centre is one of the busiest in Amazon's UK operations with public concerns mounting about the strikes impact on Amazon customers.

But Amazon have assured customers that the strikes will not impact customers hoping to receive their Black Friday deals in the post today. 

The firm recently said they would raise minimum starting wages to £13 an hour for staff, depending on location, from next April. But the GMB is battling for a rate of £15 an hour and better conditions, as workers battle with cost of living pressures.

Amanda Gearing, GMB Organiser, said: 'Today will go down in history as a turning point in Amazon's history.

'Working people that make Amazon's business model possible stand up to demand their share of the company's enormous wealth.

'Despite that, Amazon bosses are desperate to claim it will be business as usual for Amazon and their customers this Black Friday.

'The truth is that today will see the largest day of industrial disruption in Amazon's thirty-year history.

'With industrial action escalating and workers joining action in Europe and the USA, it's clear this strike is inspiring Amazon workers worldwide to fight to force the company to change its ways.'

An Amazon spokesperson said: 'There will be no disruption to customers.

'We regularly review our pay to ensure we offer competitive wages and benefits.

'By April 2024, our minimum starting pay will have increased to £12.30 and £13 per hour depending on location, that's a 20% increase over two years and 50% since 2018.'

They added: '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.'