Amazon contract workers ‘walk out’ of UK warehouse over safety fears

Contractors at an Amazon warehouse in Darlington say they have walked out over a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and inadequate social distancing measures.

Builders have claimed they were working under “unacceptable and unsafe” conditions at the distribution centre and face being sacked for walking out over coronavirus safety fears.

Amazon strongly rejected the allegations. The online retailer insisted that it has “implemented proactive measures” at all of its sites and ensured face masks are available for workers to use to use.

One worker said: “It’s a big site and the Amazon building is huge and there is nobody wearing masks or gloves – people are not social distancing.

“Bosses have said if people walk off the site they will be sacked and replaced with someone else.

“The only way you can work safely is if there were five people on site. It’s impossible. There are hundreds.”

A cleaner who works for TC Facilities Management, accused Amazon of “ignoring” a “worsening” situation.

The worker said: “There is nobody enforcing social distancing rules, people are in very close proximity with each other.

“Cleaners do not have PPE, we have the worst rubber gloves to clean the area, no aprons and no masks.

“When I approached my manager about it they said “you’ve got to sneeze and cough” over you to catch it.

“Workers who don’t feel safe are told they can have agreed unpaid leave – a few have already quit from the agency.