### Global Strike by Amazon Workers Over Black Friday Weekend

Amazon workers around the world are gearing up for a massive strike during one of the holiday season's busiest shopping weekends. The protest, dubbed "Make Amazon Pay," is organized by the global labor unions UNI Global Union and Progressive International. The strike is set to span from Black Friday through Cyber Monday, targeting Amazon's labor practices, environmental impact, and corporate influence on democracy.

Workers from 20 countries, including major cities in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Brazil, will participate in the action. The strike demands include increased wages and the right for employees to unionize. Economists caution that this could result in delays for holiday deliveries.

According to UNI Global Union, thousands of workers in German cities such as Graben, Dortmund, and Leipzig will protest. In New Delhi, hundreds are expected to join, calling for fair treatment after a July heatwave reportedly led to worker mistreatment. Protests are also planned across France and by garment workers in Bangladesh.

The "Make Amazon Pay" campaign, now in its fifth year, aims to hold Amazon accountable globally. In 2023, Amazon was responsible for 18% of worldwide Black Friday sales, with total holiday sales exceeding $170 billion. Christy Hoffman, general secretary of UNI Global Union, criticized Amazon for prioritizing profit at the expense of workers, the environment, and democratic values.

Amazon has defended its labor practices, stating that it offers excellent pay, benefits, and opportunities. Spokesperson Eileen Hards accused the campaign of promoting a misleading narrative, highlighting the company's investment of $2.2 billion to raise pay for U.S. fulfillment and transportation workers. According to Amazon, this brings the average base wage to over $22 per hour, with total compensation exceeding $29 per hour when benefits are included.

Comprehensive benefits provided by Amazon reportedly include health, vision, and dental insurance, a 401(k) plan with a 50% company match, up to 20 weeks of paid leave, and a pre-paid college tuition program. Despite these assurances, Amazon workers have become increasingly vocal about their rights, particularly since the surge in online orders during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2022, an independent worker-led group made history by unionizing a 6,000-employee Amazon warehouse in Staten Island, New York. In June 2023, nearly 2,000 Amazon workers staged a walkout over a return-to-office mandate. Meanwhile, workers in Kentucky accused the company of a union-busting campaign, an allegation Amazon attributes to policy infractions.

James Schneider of Progressive International noted that Amazon's approach to labor relations varies by country, collaborating more effectively with unions in places like Sweden compared to the U.S. Rising inflation and the decreasing value of minimum wage, highlighted by a 2022 UN report, have fueled the wave of collective action.

Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla of Progressive International emphasizes the global scope of the movement, asserting that unified efforts can compel Amazon to change its practices and foster a world that prioritizes human dignity over corporate profits.