Climate activists targeted 15 Amazon warehouses across Europe on “Black Friday,” and the world’s largest e-commerce company also faced protests from workers and delivery drivers in Germany, France and Italy. Amazon, based in Seattle, is facing criticism from climate activists, who say excessive consumption harms the environment while a union of unions says the company is not enough to pay workers and not enough taxes for governments.
“Black Friday is the epitome of the obsession with over-consumption unsuitable for a habitable planet,” the group Extinction Rebellion said after blocking 13 Amazon warehouses across the UK.
“Amazon and companies like it capitalized on our desire for convenience and fueled rampant consumerism at the expense of the natural world,” it said.
Reuters reporters at an Amazon warehouse at Tilbury harbor in eastern England said protesters had blocked the entrance, meaning no vehicles could get in or out. The group also said it blocked Amazon warehouses in Germany and the Netherlands.
The banners read: “Black Friday exploits people and the planet” and “Infinite growth, finite planet”.
Extinction Rebellion said Amazon’s “crimes” include activities that emit more carbon dioxide than an average country, helping fossil fuel companies.
An Amazon spokesperson said: “We have an extensive network of sites across the UK and are working to minimize any possible disruption to customers.”
Amazon also said it takes its responsibilities “very seriously”.
“That includes our commitment to be net carbon-free by 2040 – 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement – providing excellent wages and benefits in a safe and modern work environment, while supported tens of thousands of small UK businesses selling on our store.”
“We know there’s always more work to be done,” it said.
Unions across Europe’s largest economies also urged warehouse workers and delivery drivers to protest against what they see as Amazon’s unfairly low wages and tax payments.
In Germany, the company’s largest market after the United States, union Verdi said about 2,500 employees went on strike at Amazon’s shipping hubs in Rheinberg, Koblenz and Graben.
In France, one of the country’s leading unions, the CGT, has called on Amazon workers to go on strike. The union union also reported on a strike in Italy.
“The union demands that Amazon pay workers fairly and respect their right to join a union, pay their fair share of taxes, and be truly committed to environmental sustainability,” the “Make Amazon Pay” union said. in a statement.
© Thomson Reuters 2021
