Strike action from Amazon workers in Coventry could cost the company over £2 million, claims the GMB Union.

The general trade union for workers in the UK said that the combined eight days of industrial action from 400 staff in Coventry could heavily hit Amazon’s business and shareholders.

Workers are striking over an enforced pay rise of 50 pence per hour – they have demanded a £4.50 increase.

The strikes on March 2 are the first time that Amazon workers in the UK have taken industrial action, and comes after months of union organisation from Amazon warehouse workers in the US.

Commenting on the strikes, Amanda Gearing, GMB senior organiser, said: “The public and Amazon customers will be asking themselves why one of the world's most profitable companies is willing to take a big financial hit instead of resolving this dispute.

“People will be forgiven for reaching the conclusion that Amazon top brass are focused only on breaking the spirit of striking workers in Coventry

When asked for comment, a spokesperson for Amazon questioned the legitimacy of the statistics and claimed that the strike action did not represent the majority of its staff. They said: "These figures are complete nonsense. Only a tiny proportion of employees have been involved and there’s been no operational or customer impact."

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