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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
World
Joshua Hartley

Campaigners protest against Amazon 'tactics' outside East Midlands Airport

Union members held a protest at East Midlands Airport over accusations of poor working conditions and allegations of price gouging Amazon.

Campaigners from Unite displayed banners at 11.30am which criticised what it described as "anti-union tactics" and encouraged Amazon employees to use a confidential worker hotline.

Before the protest Unite said it had submitted the first formal complaint to the Competition & Markets Authority against Amazon for an alleged abuse of its market position in relation to price gouging at the height of the Covid 19 pandemic.

The union also called for Amazon to "repay the overcharges" to those who it claims were exposed to inflated prices.

The protest was part Unite's wider Action on Amazon campaign.

Unite organiser Sam Luczynski said: "Today’s protest was a great opportunity to get our message out to Amazon, and their workers in the region about our campaign.

"We are continuing our protests across the East Midlands and the country, calling on Jeff Bezos to sign up to a declaration of neutrality which would guarantee workers the freedom to talk with and form a union without fear.

"We have heard from staff at the nearby fulfilment centre and elsewhere in the country of poor working conditions and anti-union tactics.

"Hopefully by seeing our support from such an iconic venue in our region Amazon staff who work in the East Midlands will get the message on contact our helpline, anonymously, if they have been mistreated at work.

"Amazon should also hear loudly that the public are not willing to accept their anti-union tactics in this day and age."

Unite recently held a similar protest against Amazon on June 7 at The Major Oak, Sherwood Forest that urged company boss Jeff Bezos to sign up to a declaration of neutrality and to change its trade union rules.

An Amazon spokesperson said: “There is no place for price gouging on Amazon.

"We worked with the CMA more than a year ago to stop attempts by some sellers to take advantage of the global health crisis.

"Our action at the time was clear and decisive - we removed the offers referenced in this complaint and terminated seller accounts.

"We continue to monitor our store 24/7 to remove offers that violate our policies.”

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