Amazon’s Black Friday Greeted by Climate Activists, Strikes in Europe

Climate activists focused 15 Amazon depots throughout Europe on “Black Friday” and the world’s greatest e-commerce firm additionally confronted protests by staff and supply drivers in Germany, France, and Italy. Amazon, based mostly in Seattle, is dealing with criticism from local weather activists who say extreme consumption harms the setting whereas an alliance of commerce unions say the corporate doesn’t pay staff sufficient nor sufficient tax to governments.

“Black Friday epitomises an obsession with overconsumption that is not consistent with a liveable planet,” the Extinction Rebellion group stated after blocking 13 Amazon depots throughout the United Kingdom.

“Amazon and companies like it have capitalised on our desire for convenience and stoked rampant consumerism at the expense of the natural world,” it stated.

Reuters reporters at an Amazon depot at Tilbury docks in jap England stated protesters had blocked the doorway, which means no autos might enter or exit. The group additionally stated it had blocked Amazon depots in Germany and the Netherlands.

Banners learn: “Black Friday exploits people and planet” and “Infinite growth, finite planet”.

Extinction Rebellion stated Amazon’s “crimes” included actions which emitted extra carbon dioxide than a medium sized nation, serving to fossil gasoline firms.

“We have a large network of sites across the UK and are working to minimise any potential disruption to customers,” stated a spokesperson for Amazon, which introduced the normal U.S. Black Friday low cost day to Britain in 2010.

Amazon additionally stated it takes its obligations “very seriously”.

“That includes our commitment to be net zero carbon by 2040 – 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement – providing excellent pay and benefits in a safe and modern work environment, and supporting the tens of thousands of British small businesses who sell on our store.”

“We know there is always more to do,” it stated.

Trade unions throughout Europe’s greatest economies additionally referred to as out warehouse staff and supply drivers to strike in opposition to what they stated had been Amazon’s unfairly low wages and tax funds.

In Germany, the corporate’s greatest market after the United States, the Verdi union stated round 2,500 workers went on strike at Amazon transport centres in Rheinberg, Koblenz, and Graben.

In France, one of many nation’s high labour unions, CGT, referred to as for Amazon staff within the nation to go on strike. The union coalition additionally reported a strike in Italy.

“The coalition demands Amazon pays its workers fairly and respects their right to join unions, pays its fair share of taxes and commits to real environmental sustainability,” the “Make Amazon Pay” coalition stated in a press release.

© Thomson Reuters 2021