Hundreds of Amazon.com workers in Germany went on strike this week just eight days before Christmas in a dispute over "pay and conditions" that has gone on for months, according to Reuters.
Germany is Amazon's second-largest market behind the U.S. and sales grew over 21 percent in 2012 to $8.7 billion. The site also took its most daily orders in Germany on Dec. 16, 2012, when over 4 million items were purchased.
The company employs approximately 9,000 workers in Germany and an additional 14,000 seasonal workers at nine distribution centers.
Currently there have been no delivery delays, but that could change quickly.
"Our customers can continue to rely on us for the prompt delivery of their Christmas presents," a spokeswoman said, adding that Amazon uses its whole European logistics network over the Christmas period to ensure delivery times.
Employees in Amazon's center in Werne, Germany are planning on protesting on Dec. 17, and strikes will continue "all week" in Leipzig and until at least Dec. 18 in Bad Hersfeld, according to Reuters.
"Amazon must realize it cannot export its anti-union labor model to European shores. We call on the company to come to the table and sign a global agreement that guarantees the rights of workers," said Philip Jennings of global trade union UNI.
Amazon's German head Ralf Kleber said the company will not give in to pressure from striking workers, though he is worried about getting deliveries out in time for Christmas.
Kleber said Amazon pays warehouse workers at a starting salary of 9.55 euros ($13.11) an hour.
So what do you think? Should Amazon give the workers a raise to get orders out on time?
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