Amazon employees at German warehouses have gone on strike over better pay and conditions until at least December 20, but the company has promised it will deliver Christmas orders on time.
In the long-running dispute which started in May 2013, the union has demanded that Amazon pay the same wages as employees in the mail order and retail industries. Amazon rejected the demands, saying it regards warehouse employees as logistics workers who receive above-average pay.
At a rally with more than 1,000 Amazon employees, the union said "Your courage and your determination will bring Amazon to the negotiating table. You are an example to the whole country,"
The union said out of Amazon's nine warehouses in Germany, six have joined the movement with more than 2,600 employees involved. However, Amazon pointed out it employs almost 10,000 regular employees at its warehouses in Germany, which doubles during seasonal times. It also said it can draw on its 19 other warehouses across Europe to fill gaps.
Amazon said it had not seen any delays so far and that Christmas orders will be delivered on time, it reassured customers by saying "We keep our customer promises."
Source: Reuters
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