BERLIN, July 11 (Xinhua) -- A long-standing conflict over collective wage agreements between U.S. e-commerce giant Amazon and its German labor force entered a new round on Tuesday as workers went on strike again.
Employees of Amazon at several locations in Leipzig, Augsburg, Bad Hersfeld, Rheinberg and Werne joined the action. The German United Services Trade Union estimated that around 400 would participate in the strike.
"Today is Prime Day at Amazon, every hour there is a new special offer, so strikes are particularly effective," Thomas Schneider, the designated strike leader, said.
Amazon rejected the claim, releasing a statement that strikes would have no influence on the firms "promise to costumers" on Prime Day. Logistics centers in Germany and throughout Europe had prepared for the industrial action and increased their stock levels accordingly.
An Amazon representative told Xinhua that since only a small share of the workforce was involved in the strike, operations would proceed as normal. With the support of the other 31 logistical centers throughout Europe, "customers will receive the fast and good service they are used to."
Trade unionists want Amazon to pay its employees in line with the collective wage agreement which is valid for German shipment and retail sectors. Amazon uses the logistic sector's collective wage agreement as the basis for its employee remuneration instead.
Strikes have occurred regularly at Amazon sites in Germany since May 2013.
