"30 workers get jobs back after protests at Amazon Gateshead", 25 June, 2021

AROUND 30 people who were dismissed while working on a North-East Amazon warehouse have been offered their jobs back after three days of protests. The Northern Echo understands that a sub-contractor working on Amazon's new Fulfilment Centre in Gateshead has "reinstated" the roles after talks concluded.

The move has been described as a "victory," as campaigners have said they stand ready to challenge any firm that "undermines" the trade in future. It comes as campaigners, including those from Rank and File, originally alleged that two sub-contractors were using labourers, instead of qualified electricians to finish the site.

One of the sub-contractors, SSE Enterprise Contracting refuted the claims saying all of its workers are 'suitably' skilled, while SIS Systems has not yet provided a comment...It then emerged that around 30 workers from SIS Systems had been reportedly dismissed last Friday as a result, prompting a three-day protest starting on Monday.

A text message sent to the workers said that they must leave the site by the end of the day, while warning that their pay would be withheld if they took part in further action...But following talks, which took place on Wednesday between the sub-contractors, main contractor TGW, site management and union representatives, all roles were reinstated.

...The main contractor TGW previously said it would commit to helping and investigating the concerns raised at the site in Gateshead in order to "clear up" the incident.

...Amazon previously said that the matters relate to the contractors directly, which it said it expected all to ensure their workers are suitably trained.