Global 'Make Amazon Pay' protests challenge labor practices

“Amazon’s relentless pursuit of profit comes at a cost to workers, the environment and democracy,” said Christy Hoffman of UNI Global Union. “Bezos’s company has spent untold millions to stop workers from organizing... ‘Make Amazon Pay Day’ is becoming a global act of resistance against Amazon’s abuse of power.”

Reports indicate that Amazon has underreported lobbying expenditures in Europe by millions leading to a ban on its lobbyists by the European Parliament. In the U.S., legal challenges against the National Labor Relations Board could weaken worker protections.

Amazon faces global challenges over union busting tactics. A third union vote was forced at an Alabama warehouse after extreme anti-union efforts invalidated previous votes. Similar accusations have been made in Canada, Germany, and the UK.

Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla from Progressive International stated: “Amazon is everywhere but so are we... By uniting our movements across borders... lay foundations for a world prioritizing human dignity."

The campaign's demands have influenced regulators resulting in legislative wins such as laws addressing warehouse conditions in several U.S. states and ongoing investigations into safety practices by the European Union.

Co-convened by UNI Global Union and Progressive International with support from organizations like Greenpeace and Tax Justice Network among others; Make Amazon Pay seeks fair treatment for workers including union rights alongside tax fairness and environmental commitments.