Amazon workers in Germany begin 3-day strike over wage issues

By Timo Kirez

GENEVA (AA) - The German trade union Verdi began a three-day strike against the US e-commerce company Amazon on Tuesday over wages and other monetary benefits for workers.

In the year-long dispute over a collective bargaining agreement with Amazon, the Verdi union has called for a strike at 10 fulfillment centers in Germany from Tuesday to Thursday, the union announced on its website.

Verdi leader Monika Di Silvestre stated in the statement that Amazon has repeatedly increased hourly wages, "but management would never have done that voluntarily without the pressure of the strikes."

Despite the increases, employees' incomes often remain several hundred euros lower than those of workers in companies with collective agreements due to longer working hours and low or no special payments such as Christmas and vacation bonuses.

According to the union, the current strike is motivated by Amazon's "Prime Day" bargain days, which will take place from July 11 to 12.

Corporations such as Amazon gained competitive advantages at the expense of their employees, resulting in massively accelerated cutthroat competition in retail, the union said, which has asked Amazon for sectoral wage agreements in retail and mail order.

"Because only collective agreements provide employees with binding protection against corporate arbitrariness, and they are a sign of recognition for the hard work that employees do every day. That is why it is critical not to slack off. It's about dignity and respect," Di Silvestre explained in the statement.

The conflict at Amazon in Germany has been going on since 2013, and the US e-commerce giant has stated that it is unconcerned about the strike announcement.

"There have never been any restrictions due to strike activities, and we don't expect it this time either," a spokesman for the company told German business daily Handelsblatt, claiming that Amazon pays well.