(Bloomberg) -- Amazon.com Inc. said it would hike pay at its UK warehouses following strikes but unions dismissed the offer as “an insult.”
The US technology company said Wednesday that minimum pay at British warehouses would increase to between £11 ($13.47) and £12 per hour depending on location. The raise represents a 50 pence-an-hour increase according to the GMB labor group.
The company dealt with its first UK strikes at a warehouse in Coventry in January, following an earlier 50 pence-per-hour raise. It faces the prospect of more industrial action despite the additional pay offer.
“We’re listening to Amazon workers and the message is very clear: this new pay rate is an insult,” GMB union representative Amanda Gearing said. “In response we will be consulting over the next few days and announcing a new wave of action.”
In January, Amazon announced it would shut down three of its UK warehouses this year in an operation that will impact about 1,200 employees, although the company said it plans to open two new fulfillment centers there that will ultimately provide jobs for 2,500 people.
“Over the past seven months, our minimum pay has risen by 10% and by more than 37% since 2018. We also work hard to provide great benefits, a positive work environment and excellent career opportunities,” an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement.
Amazon also said the latest pay offer follows an one-off payment of as much as £500 at Christmas.
--With assistance from Robin Ajello.
©2023 Bloomberg L.P.
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