We deliver for angry Amazon canteen team
Catering staff at Amazon’s Scottish depot are being given contracts and backdated holiday pay after the Sunday Mail revealed their appalling working conditions.
We told last week how the web giant’s canteen subcontractor Buckley Support Services failed to give minimum-wage staff written terms while nightshift workers only got two weeks off a year. Amazon launched an investigation into the issues at its Dunfermline base, highlighted as part of our Horrible Bosses campaign.
And l a s t we ek , subcontractor owner Tony Buckley told staff they’d get contracts and backdated cash for leave owed. One worker, who didn’t want to be named, said: “It’s a shame it took a story in the Sunday Mail to get some action but it’s certainly made a big difference.
“Management told us of the changes and many of us have signed contracts. We’ll also get back pay for holidays.” But staff were warned not to talk to the Press. The worker added: “I’ve no doubt nothingnoth would’ve changed if it wasn’t for ththe negative publicity but everyone is delighted.”de
AmazonA improved conditions for all direct employees after lots of storiessto last year but subcontractors weren’twe included. Buckley pays day
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staff in Dunfermline the legal minimum of £7.83 an hour and just over £9 for nights.
His f irm has contracts with other businesses and he lives in a villa in an exclusive street in Gourock, Inverclyde. Amazon, meanwhile, is owned by Jeff Bezos, who’s worth more than £100billion.
A whistleblower said conditions were “soul-destroying”, with staff sent home without pay at quiet times and not being paid for two 15-minute breaks in each eight-hour shift.
Buckley said staff were asked if they wanted to go home and unpaid breaks and low rates were industry standard.
Amazon said: “On learning about the concerns raised by a catering employee of Buckley Support Services Ltd, we immediately launched a full investigation.
“We take this matter very seriously and have demanded compliance by Buckley Support Services. All contractors must comply with our supplier code of conduct and employment law.”