Amazon workers are staging protests against warehouse conditions this week, coinciding with the start of the 48-hour Amazon Prime Day which started at 00:01 today.

GMB, the union for Amazon workers, is leading the protests outside fulfilment centres across the UK citing what it describes as “appalling” and “dehumanising” working conditions in those facilities.

The union compared Amazon’s warehouse conditions to those overseen by 19th century mill owners, and claimed the company’s Rugeley site is one of the most dangerous places to work in Britain.

Demonstrations will be held outside the sites in Peterborough today, and Bolton, Coventry, Swansea, and Warrington tomorrow. Other will be held over the course of the next seven days at Rugeley, Milton Keynes, Coalville, and Doncaster.

Mick Rix, GMB national officer, commented: “Amazon workers want [CEO] Jeff Bezos to know they are people – not robots.

“It's time for him to show empathy with the very people that have helped to contribute to his vast and increasing personal fortune.”



He added: “It’s prime time for Amazon get round the table with GMB and discuss ways to make their workplaces safer, and to give their workers an independent voice. My phone is on and we at GMB are ready to hold those discussions with Amazon."