Amazon frontline workers to get special payment of up to £500

Online giant Amazon has announced a special payment of up to £500 for its frontline workers. Tens of thousands of hourly paid employees, including full and part-time staff and seasonal workers, will benefit.

The money will be paid in two instalments – £250 this month and £250 in December.

Amazon said in a statement: “Amazon employees receive competitive pay and comprehensive benefits. Starting pay is a minimum of between £10.50 and £11.45 per hour, depending on location.

“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.

“On top of this we have announced that every full-time, part-time and seasonal associate will receive an additional one-time special payment of up to £500 this year.”

Last month, the GMB union said its members based in Coventry will be the first Amazon workers in the UK to take part in a formal industrial action ballot. The vote closes mid-October, with any industrial action likely to take place in November.

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.”