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Amazon workers are planning a strike from Black Friday to Cyber ​​Monday

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Amazon workers plan to strike from Black Friday through Cyber ​​Monday to hold the company accountable for “labor abuses, environmental destruction and threats to democracy,” organizers say.

Organized by UNI Global Union and Progressive International, the “Make Amazon Pay” protest will take place in 20 different countries and major cities in the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Japan and Brazil.

“Amazon is everywhere, but so are we. By uniting our movements across borders, we can not only force Amazon to change its behavior, but also lay the foundation for a world where human dignity prevails, not Jeff Bezos’ bank balance,” said Varsha Gandikota- Nellutia Progressive International Co-General Coordinator.

The event could impact the biggest shopping weekend of the year, although it’s not clear how many Amazon employees would attend. It is estimated that thousands are on strike in Germany alone. Unions and allied tax justice, anti-poverty and garment workers’ rights groups will be part of the protest.

An Amazon spokesperson told ABC News: “This group is intentionally misleading and continues to spread a false narrative…The fact is that at Amazon we offer good pay, great benefits and great opportunities.”

Jeff Bezos is the founder and CEO of Amazon
Jeff Bezos is the founder and CEO of Amazon (AFP via Getty Images)

Amazon spokeswoman Eileen Hards told Fox News: “The fact is that at Amazon we offer great pay, great benefits and great opportunities from day one.” We have created more than 1.5 million jobs worldwide and counting We offer a modern, safe and attractive workplace, whether you work in an office or in one of our company buildings.”

This is the fifth year that organizers have run the “Make Amazon Pay” campaign.

The group criticized Amazon’s political work. Amazon understated its lobbying spending across Europe by millions, the group said, adding that Amazon had refused to participate in public hearings, prompting the European Parliament to ban the company’s lobbyists.

In the US, organizers fear that Amazon’s challenge to the constitutionality of the National Labor Relations Board will jeopardize protections for American workers. In Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom, Amazon has been accused of intimidating workers to prevent unionization efforts.

“Amazon’s relentless pursuit of profit comes at the expense of workers, the environment and democracy,” said Christy Hoffman, Secretary General of UNI Global Union. “Bezos’ company has spent untold millions to discourage workers from organizing, but strikes and protests around the world show that workers’ desire for justice – for union representation – cannot be stopped.

“We collectively demand that Amazon treats its employees fairly, respects fundamental rights and stops undermining the systems designed to protect us all. “Make Amazon Pay Day” will become a global act of resistance against Amazon’s abuse of power.”

The Independent Amazon has asked for comment.

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