Catalogue Number
NMLH.2024.50.2
Object Name
placard
Title
'Official Picket. GMB Union'
Place
Coventry, UK
People
GMB Union, Amazon
Events
Amazon unionisation dispute (2023-2024)
Description
An orange placard with white writing saying 'Official Picket. GMB Union.' The entire placard has been hand written on with messages of solidarity for the striking workers, for example 'Together we will make Amazon pay. "Who are we!! GMB!!" Rachel Fagan' and 'There is power in a union! Stuart Richards'.
This placard was used during the dispute between employees at the Amazon warehouse in Coventry in 2023-2024 over their right to unionise. The placard has been autographed with solidarity messages from union officials to the strikers. Amazon had refused to voluntarily recognise their employees as part of a union. After the union appealed to the arbitration service, the arbitrators confirmed that workers had the legal right to vote on whether or not to unionise. The ballot, taken in July 2024, failed by 15 votes, with 49.5% of the 3000 workers were in favour and 50.5% rejecting unionisation.
GMB reported that Amazon had resorted to intimidation tactics to pressure workers into not unionising, including requiring them to attend "six hours of anti-union seminars". Amazon argues that it is better for them to interact directly with their workers than to negotiate through a union, however collective bargaining and dispute support offered by unions often results in better working conditions for employees. Many suspect this is the true motivation behind Amazon's refusal to recognise unions in their warehouses. GMB have vowed to continue supporting Amazon workers in their attempts to unionise, despite this setback.
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