Thousands of Amazon employees across more than 20 countries are expected to protest or strike during Black Friday, demanding improved workers’ rights and stronger climate action from the US retail giant.
Unions and workers’ groups plan demonstrations between Black Friday and Cyber Monday (29 November to 2 December), one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. While Amazon and other retailers offer heavy discounts, warehouse staff face intense workloads fulfilling orders.
Protests are set to take place in major cities in the US, UK, Germany, Turkey, India, Canada, Brazil, Japan, and other nations. The events are organized by the Make Amazon Pay campaign, which calls on Amazon—founded by Jeff Bezos, the world’s second-richest person—to provide fair wages, respect union rights, pay equitable taxes, and commit to environmental sustainability.
Led by the Swiss-based UNI Global Union and the activist network Progressive International, the Make Amazon Pay coalition includes over 80 trade unions and advocacy groups, including anti-poverty organizations and garment worker rights advocates.
In the UK, protests are planned outside Amazon’s London headquarters on Bishopsgate. Activists will deliver a petition with over 110,000 signatures, urging the chancellor to end tax breaks for Amazon and other large corporations. A march to 11 Downing Street will follow.
The GMB union will host an online rally for Amazon workers on Black Friday. Last year, hundreds of striking workers at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse were joined by international trade unionists in a similar campaign for better working conditions and union recognition.
In Germany, thousands of Ver.di union members plan to strike at multiple warehouses, including those in Leipzig, Dortmund, and Bad Hersfeld. Meanwhile, in France, tax fairness advocacy group ATTAC will lead demonstrations in several cities.
“This is the fifth year of Make Amazon Pay protests,” said Christy Hoffman, general secretary of UNI Global Union. “Amazon’s relentless drive for profit comes at the expense of workers, the environment, and democracy. Despite spending millions to suppress union efforts, the growing global strikes and protests demonstrate workers’ unwavering fight for justice.”
Amazon, however, defends its policies. A spokesperson said, “We remain proud of the competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and safe work environments we provide.” The company highlights that it is the world’s largest purchaser of renewable energy and claims to offer starting pay of at least £28,000 annually in the UK.
Critics, including Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, argue that the company lacks meaningful interim targets to achieve its net zero emissions goal by 2040. Additionally, Amazon’s annual carbon footprint has grown by 34.5% since 2019.
While workers at the Coventry warehouse narrowly rejected union recognition in July, the UK’s Trades Union Congress (TUC) asserts that the fight for union rights at Amazon continues.
