Amazon strike: workers ask public to boycott Prime Day Activists are calling on Amazon employees globally to strike during one the company’s busiest trading periods – and for shoppers […]

Activists are calling on Amazon employees globally to strike during one the company’s busiest trading periods – and for shoppers to boycott the retail tech giant.

Workers are being asked to walk out on Amazon Prime Day, when the company slashes the price of hundreds of thousands of products for its Prime customers.

Union leaders in Spain have called on 1,000 laborers to down tools in a row over workers’ rights, while some workers in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Poland are also striking.

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Activists are also calling on customers around the world to boycott the sales in solidarity.

Strikes

The official strike in Spain will be timed around Prime Day, which begins at noon on 16 July and runs for 36 hours.

Douglas Harper, a representative of the Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) union said their complaints concerned wage cuts, working conditions and restrictions on time off.

“Strikes aren’t good for anyone, not the company, the workers or the customers, but we need to keep putting pressure on local management,” Mr Harper told Reuters.

Organisers are calling on workers and customers around the world to join the strike as part of a global day of action against the firm.

“Remember to stand in solidarity with Amazon workers from the 10th-16th!” wrote Twitter user Mackenzie Harris in a post that has been shared thousands of times.

“Don’t make purchases, stream movies, even open the website. #AmazonStrike is a transnational movement protesting working conditions in facilities. Safety should never be second to profit.”

Responding to the call to strike, the company said in a statement: “Amazon’s total pay is at the high end of the range in the logistics sector, it includes an attractive salary and an extensive benefits package.”

What is Amazon Prime Day?

The worldwide sale takes place on Monday 16 July on Amazon.

TVs, smart home, kitchen, grocery, toys, furniture, fashion, appliances and other products will be discounted, though some will be ‘lightning deals’ which will disappear quickly.

The discounts are available only for Amazon Prime members, Amazon’s subscription service which ensures faster and cheaper item delivery and access to its TV and Music services.

A Prime subscription costs £79 per year, or £7.99 per month. Would-be shoppers can also sign up for a 30-day free trial.

Black Friday is the day after the US Thanksgiving holiday where shops reopen with big sales and has expanded internationally as a time for sales to open the Christmas shopping period.