UNIONIST campaigners are to drape a giant banner at Ascot Racecourse this week, calling on Amazon to guarantee their employee's freedom to form a union without fear.
The union's plan to drop the banner at the sporting event in Ascot on June 16 is part of a campaign for the multi-billion dollar company to sign a declaration of neutrality, which the union claims would guarantee workers the ability to form, join or talk to unions without concern for backlash.
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The declaration demands the company agrees to:
- Acknowledge the right to freedom of association in line with the United Nations Global Compact and paragraph 2 of the ETI Base Code
- Not oppose the decision of any worker to freely join a trade union of their choice
- Where the same or similar issues affect a number of workers that their union may then raise these issues with Amazon
- Allow union representatives reasonable access to common areas in Amazon workplaces in order to meet with workers
- Not discriminate in any way against any worker for being a member of a trade union
- Agree to distribute this declaration to Amazon management in Britain and Ireland and make reasonable efforts to ensure that all workers in Amazon’s British and Irish workplaces, including those employed by sub-contractors or through a contract for services, are aware of its contents.
Unite executive officer, Sharon Graham said: “ Amazon continues to be plagued by reports of poor working conditions and anti-union tactics.
"As it stands Amazon workers are not able to form a union without fear of obstruction and reprisals.
"Unite has written to Jeff Bezos to call on him to make a clear commitment to the UK workforce and sign up to a declaration of neutrality.
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"The declaration would guarantee workers, including workers at Camberley and Weybridge the freedom to talk with and form a union without fear.
"If the company is genuine about creating good jobs in the UK then it should be more than happy to sign the declaration.
"Amazon's profits have tripled off the backs of workers who have been essential during the pandemic they must be allowed to protect their rights at work and a union is the only effective way to achieve this."
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