Labor Unrest: Strikes and Protests Hit Major Retailers

Workers at Amazon warehouses in Germany staged strikes on Black Friday, seeking collective bargaining agreements. The protests, organized by the Verdi union, aimed to disrupt operations on a major sales day. Meanwhile, unions planned protests at Zara stores across Europe, demanding the reinstatement of a profit-sharing scheme.

In a significant move, workers at Amazon warehouses across Germany initiated a strike on Black Friday, aiming to disrupt operations on one of the year's most critical sales days. The strike was orchestrated by the Verdi union, seeking a collective bargaining agreement for better working conditions.

Approximately 3,000 workers were expected to join the strike across multiple locations, including Bad Hersfeld, Dortmund, and Koblenz, among others. Despite the walkout, Amazon maintained that customer orders would remain unaffected and highlighted its fair wages and substantial workforce, including 12,000 additional seasonal workers to manage the festive season peak.

In a parallel development, unions across Europe called for protests outside Zara stores, demanding the reimplementation of a previously effective profit-sharing scheme. These coordinated actions underscore ongoing labor discontent within the retail sector.

(With inputs from agencies.)