Another wave of strikes in the UK could lead to Amazon facing packaging shortages on Black Friday

Amazon and other major e-commerce platforms may face a shortage of packaging cartons in the UK during this year's Black Friday after workers at a packaging company voted to take strike action in order to threaten the company with a wage increase.

Nearly 700 members of the British GMB union working at DS Smith, which makes corrugated packaging for brands including drinks company Diageo, biscuit maker McVitie's and brewer BrewDog, as well as Amazon, are expected to strike in late November, the union said .

As we all know, many businesses will hold promotions around Black Friday, which this year falls on the last Friday of November. The surge in sales during promotions will lead to an increase in demand for packaging.

According to insiders, 93% of DS Smith's GMB members voted in favor of a strike after the company offered a pay rise, but the union said it was actually a "pay cut." DS Smith had previously offered workers a 3% pay rise and a total of £760 in the second year. Official data showed that the UK inflation rate rose back to over 10% in September, the highest level in 40 years.

GMB general secretary Eamon O'Hearn said DS Smith employees had worked throughout the pandemic and hoped the company would increase their pay accordingly.

"A strike by DS Smith could have serious implications for a range of household names , not least Amazon, which sources much of its packaging from the company, " O'Hearn said.

DS Smith, which also produces packaging for McCoy's potato chips and PepsiCo, said it was "disappointed" by the vote for strike action, particularly at this critical time.

A DS Smith spokesman said: “Negotiations with the unions are ongoing and our aim is to find a solution that satisfies everyone. We take customer needs seriously and have strong contingency plans in place to try to meet demand for product during the peak season.”

However, Amazon said it does not expect packaging shortages during the holiday season.

On the other hand, Royal Mail employees announced that they will carry out two 48-hour strikes at the end of this month, so consumers who shop around Black Friday may face the situation of not receiving their goods for a long time.

Last Friday, Royal Mail and the Communications Union agreed to hold a week of "intensive negotiations" from November 7 to 15 to try to resolve the current pay and strike dispute.

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U.K.