UK Amazon staff will make history as they formally vote to strike for the first time ever.
Hundreds of workers who are part of the GMB union in Coventry will be balloted to take industrial action over low pay and poor working conditions.
The vote will close mid-October, with any strikes likely to take place the following month if workers vote in favour of them.
GMB official Amanda Gearing said: "These Amazon workers will be the first in the UK to take part in a formal strike ballot – they’re making history.
"They’re being offered a 35p-an-hour pay rise during the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation – and that’s from a company worth more than £1 trillion.
"Understandably, they are furious.
"Amazon can afford to do better. It’s not too late to avoid strike action and to get round the table with GMB to improve the pay and conditions of workers."
Amazon staff in the UK have previously staged informal protests over low pay, but this is the first time there will be a formal vote for industrial action.
And according to the GMB, more than 300 workers voted in the consultative ballot at the fulfilment centre in the West Midlands, with 97 per cent saying they were ready to walk out.
The online giant Amazon has said previously: "Starting pay for Amazon employees has increased to a minimum of between £10.50 and £11.45 an hour, depending on location.
"This represents a 29% increase in the minimum hourly wage paid to Amazon associates since 2018.
"On top of this, employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package that includes private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, subsidised meals, an employee discount and more, which combined are worth thousands of pounds annually, as well as a company pension plan."
The company, which is owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, has previously come under fire for low pay and unsafe working conditions in several countries all over the world.
And this news comes amid many strikes being postponed that were meant to happen this month.
Rail and postal strikes have been called off for the coming weeks due to the Queen's death last week, but are expected to be rescheduled.
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