Amazon Workers in Spain Strike for Better Wages and Benefits

Amazon Workers in Spain Strike for Better Wages and Benefits

Amazon workers in Spain conducted walkouts to improve wages and time off, with approximately 75 percent of the workforce at the RMU1 fulfillment center in Murcia participating in the strike. This fulfillment center employed around 2,000 workers at the time of the strike.

The strike was a response to stagnant wages and health and safety violations that have persisted since 2018. Workers collected over 800 signatures to hold a workers’ assembly, marking the first such assembly in Murcia in over 40 years. The General Confederation of Labour (CGT) emerged as the second-largest union at the fulfillment center after the Confederación Sindical de Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) in the last union elections held in 2023.

The strike tactics included coordinated walkouts during peak production times, demonstrating a decentralized decision-making approach among workers. The Regional Assembly of Murcia unanimously approved a declaration of support for the Amazon workforce during the strike, highlighting the solidarity among local leaders.

As a result of the strike, workers achieved a cumulative salary increase of 14 percent by 2026, with additional increases of 4 percent planned for both 2027 and 2028. Furthermore, workers received a bonus of €40 before taxes for each Sunday worked as part of the settlement, and sick leave benefits were improved to cover 100 percent of the base salary.

One worker emphasized the power of collective action, stating, “Even at the heart of global logistics, a well-planned surgical strike from below can bring the machine to a standstill and win.” The strike extended to workers affiliated with other unions, not just the CGT, showcasing a united front among labor groups.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the long-term impact of these changes on Amazon’s operations in Spain and whether similar movements will emerge in other regions. Observers are watching closely to see how Amazon responds to these labor demands and if further negotiations will take place.