Amazon delivery drivers describe the “pure hell” of working over festive period with 86% claiming Christmas targets put them at risk of harm

Hundreds of Amazon warehouse workers in Coventry walked out in protest over pay disputes on Friday 24 November (Black Friday) this year, with such strikes occurring at Amazon warehouses across Europe. Similarly, Amazon delivery drivers claim they are experiencing insufficient pay and are being overworked, according to Leigh Day’s survey.
 


The results from the survey reveal that 97% of delivery drivers have worked a full day without a break, and 67% report having worked a shift of more than 12 hours. Additionally, 43% report working more than six consecutive days without a day off, and 64% claim that their pay does not cover cost of living.




The survey also asked how delivery drivers’ workload changes on Black Friday and throughout the Christmas period. The results show that 97% say there is an increase in parcels from Black Friday onwards, and 95% feel more pressured during this period. Furthermore, 89% say that the targets they are given during this period are unmanageable, and 86% claim that these targets and the conditions of their delivery job puts themselves or others at risk of harm.
 


Leigh Day launched a group claim in 2021 against Amazon on behalf of its delivery drivers for back pay for unpaid holiday, the national minimum wage, and an employment contract. The claim currently has approximately 3300 drivers signed up. Leigh Day also has ongoing group action claims against Just Eat, Bolt, Veezu, and FREENOW. 
 


Amazon delivery driver Bill Lightfoot, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, said:




“The work is horrendous because Amazon control everything you do. There were times I was out on delivery, and I’d stop for a few minutes, and they’d ring up and ask why I was parked up.
 


“The money I was earning wasn’t anywhere close to covering my rent and bills. In one week, I worked 36 hours over four days and I should have earned £464 but they gave me £2.74. It doesn’t sound believable but it’s true.



“I was very unhappy delivering for them. Effectively I was paying them to do their deliveries, rather than the other way around.”





Kate Robinson, a solicitor in the Leigh Day employment team, said:





"It is deeply concerning that the Amazon delivery drivers who completed our survey report experiencing unmanageable and potentially harmful circumstances during this period. They report that they are given extreme targets and subject to constant monitoring, and  aren’t even fairly paid. Our group action legal claim is aimed at getting these delivery drivers the pay they deserve and create better working conditions, as well as holding Amazon to account"

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To find out more information about the Amazon delivery drivers claim, click here.