The GMB trade union said all 60 workers were involved in action at the warehouse, where it has about 700 members out of a workforce of at least 1,500, which culminated in a ballot on formal recognition in July last year that failed by only a handful of votes.
One worker at the warehouse said there had been multiple rule changes to productivity targets and how “non-productive time” – such as trips to the toilet or equipment failure – were recorded and assessed since late last year, with delays in dealing with queries.
Amanda Gearing, GMB senior organiser, said the number of disciplinary actions had increased significantly since the ballot and Amazon was “clearing out what they see as troublemakers” as it tried to win new government contracts.
Amazon has been accused of targeting 60 trade union members with disciplinary action after narrowly defeating a recognition vote at its Coventry warehouse last summer.
She said a recent GMB survey of union members working for Amazon found that 81% were unhappy working for the company.
