UNIONS have staged a series of protests in Australia this week, calling for one-click giant Amazon to pay better wages and more tax.
Transport Workers Union (TWU) president Richard Olsen and national secretary Michael Kaine were among those who rallied outside the Amazon fulfillment centre at Kemps Creek in Sydney, along with SDA NSW secretary Bernie Smith.Other rallies occurred in Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.
The TWU, SDA and Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) are making a claim on the company to pay its “fair share for decent jobs, stop its attacks on workers and support Australian media”.
While the unions criticised what they said was the company's “huge tax avoidance", an Amazon spokesperson said the claims "are unfounded" and that they were "proud to provide quality jobs in Australia".
The unions’ 10-point claim on Amazon includes demands for “fair wages”, a “fair share” of tax, secure and sustainable jobs and stopping what it has said is “excessive worker surveillance”.
The TWU has made an application to the Fair Work Commission to put in place fair minimum standards across last mile parcel delivery.
The SDA is currently involved in several disputes with Amazon on work practices and allowing workers a voice at work.
“Hundreds of TWU members are standing up today for good Australian jobs and businesses which are under existential threat because of Amazon,” said TWU national secretary Michael Kaine.
“Billionaires like former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos have gone to space from the money made from exploiting workers and communities — but Amazon doesn’t even pay its fair share of tax.
“Australian workers deserve decent jobs, and Australian consumers deserve to choose local businesses without having Amazon crush them out of the market.”
SDA national secretary Gerard Dwyer said their disputes with Amazon related to efforts by the company to silence workers.
“But increasingly workers are speaking up. And as consumers so should the community and our government,” Mr Dwyer said.
An Amazon spokespeson said the company now employed around 7,000 people across their businesses in Australia, "helping create and support hundreds of thousands of small businesses".
"We offer great pay and benefits, and provide a modern and safe working environment that can be seen through a tour of one of our fulfilment centers," the spokesperson said.
"We pay all applicable taxes in Australia. Corporate tax is based on profits, not revenues, and we continue to make significant investments in jobs and infrastructure across the country.
"This includes a AU$5 billion investment across our businesses in 2024 alone, and AWS’ recent AU$20 billion investment announcement that will create jobs, build AI capacity, and drive other economic and social benefits."