Strike in the Amazon: Minnesota workers demand safer working conditions

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Prime Day is the most important event of the year for Amazon, which has built one of the most efficient supply chains in the world. But some warehouse employees say that they are facing too much pressure to execute delivery orders in the state. Today, Amazon decides to offer free delivery in one day to Premium members. Workers fear that the change will increase the pressure they are undergoing.

"We are human beings, not robots," said William Stolz, an Amazon warehouse worker in Shakopee, Minnesota, to CNN Business. "They treat us like machines."

In Shakopee, about 100 workers at an Amazon warehouse are expected to leave Monday to protest the pace at which they must work. The Shakopee protests are one of the many demonstrations of the First Day, which will take place over two days this year.

Amazon, however, defended its salary and salary policies. A spokesman said the company offered "a fee of $ 15 per hour, benefits, and a safe place to work for our employees".

The company also responded to criticism: "Events like Prime Day have become an opportunity for our critics, including unions, to raise awareness about their cause," the spokesman said. "These groups invoke disinformation to work in their favor."

Monday's protests began with the wage strike of workers at Amazon's facilities in Germany. The strikes in Germany took place under the slogan "More discounts on our income". Amazon is struggling with the German unions and its employees in Germany have staged strikes and frequent protests in recent years.

"While Amazon offers huge discounts to its customers on Prime Day, employees lack a living wage," said a German union.

The United Kingdom, Spain and Poland also demonstrated.

In the UK, the GMB union – which represents Amazon workers – has staged protests in front of Amazon's distribution centers. "We are organizing events on different Amazon sites across the country this Prime Day," said Mick Rix, union leader. "The working conditions of our members on Amazon sites in the UK are appalling."

Although Amazon increased starting salaries to $ 15 an hour for all US employees last year, the frustration of some workers persists. In addition to the Shakopee protest, protests and rallies will be held in New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, DC. Democratic presidential candidates, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, have shown their support behind the protests.

"The main problem is related to speed of work, physical stress and mental stress," said Stolz, the Shakopee worker who has been working for Amazon for two years. "We have an opportunity, if Amazon wants to take out your packages within one to two days, they must treat their workers with respect."

Mr Stolz said the employees had decided to take action on the first day, as it would be one of the "busiest times of Amazon".

A large number of Amazonian workers in Shakopee are Muslim immigrants from East Africa, and some of their demands relate to prayer spaces and a decrease in speed and rates during Ramadan when employees fast.

The Day of Shakopee Workers' Day protests are part of the ongoing organizing efforts there. Last year, warehouse employees met with Amazon management to request changes, but they claimed that their main concerns had not been resolved. In December, the workers organized a strike.

"We just want safe and reliable jobs that we are able to do in the long run and support our families," said Stolz.

Shakopee workers should be joined by Amazon workers from the company's headquarters in Seattle. Technology workers traveling to Minnesota are part of Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, a group that has lobbied Amazon to take action on the climate crisis.

The pilots of Amazon Air, the airline's air cargo company, also said they "stand in solidarity with the warehouse workers" in Shakopee. They send a pilot to the Minnesota demonstration.

"As we know, the Amazon business model too often overlooks the well-being of the workers who make the e-commerce giant so successful," said Daniel Wells, union leader representing pilots who fly for Amazon Air.

Activists also gathered in front of Jeff Bezos' home in New York on Monday, demanding that Amazon cut web service contracts reported with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and "end abusive working conditions in its warehouses." Amazon declined to comment on ICE contracts.

CNN's Lydia DePillis and Charles Riley contributed to this article.

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