Divided we stand: reasons for and against strike participation in Amazon&apos;s German distribution centres

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Work Organisation, Labour & Globalisation

Volume 13, Issue 1

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Divided we stand: reasons for and against strike participation in Amazon's German distribution centres

research-article

Author(s): Sabrina Apicella , Helmut Hildebrandt

Publication date (Print): 1 April 2019

Journal: Work Organisation, Labour & Globalisation

Publisher: Pluto Journals

Keywords: strike behaviour, trade union confidence, working conditions, Amazon

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Abstract

Little attention has been devoted to the individual motivations behind strike participation - particularly in minority strikes, such as the labour struggle affecting Amazon's German distribution centres. This study surveyed 223 Amazon employees asking questions relating to strike participation, income, reliance on trade unions, work dissatisfaction, employment status, professional background and demographic background. Our results, based on logistic regression analysis, evidenced that work dissatisfaction, reliance on trade unions, and having temporary or permanent positions predicted decisions vis-à-vis strike participation with 92% accuracy. The union's main goal, improving workers’ income, did not play a major role.

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Author and article information

Journal

Journal ID (doi): 10.2307/j50010512

Journal ID (jcode): workorgalaboglob

Title: Work Organisation, Labour & Globalisation

Publisher: Pluto Journals

ISSN: 1745-641X

ISSN: 1745-6428

Publication date (Print): 1 April 2019

Volume: 13

Issue: 1 ( doiID: 10.13169/workorgalaboglob.13.issue-1 )

Pages: 172-189

Article

Publisher ID: workorgalaboglob.13.1.0172

DOI: 10.13169/workorgalaboglob.13.1.0172

SO-VID: b7f3427d-66a5-474e-a30b-1e8ff16ef95b

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All content is freely available without charge to users or their institutions. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles in this journal without asking prior permission of the publisher or the author. Articles published in the journal are distributed under a http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

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lang eng

ScienceOpen disciplines: Sociology,Labor law,Political science,Labor & Demographic economics,Political economics

Keywords: Amazon,working conditions,trade union confidence,strike behaviour

REFERENCES

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Altenried, M. (2017) ‘Die Plattform als Fabrik. Crowdwork, Digitaler Taylorismus und die Vervielfältigung der Arbeit’ [The platform as factory: Crowdwork, digital Taylorism and the multiplication of labour], PROKLA. Zeitschrift für kritische Sozialwissenschaft, 47 (2):175-91.
Amazing Workers (2018) United Across Borders. Accessed May 29, 2018 from https://amworkers.wordpress.com/category/en/.
Apicella, S. (2016) Amazon in Leipzig: Von den Gründen, (nicht) zu streiken [Amazon in leipzig. Reasons (not) to strike], Berlin: Rosa Luxemburg Foundation.
Artus, I. (2013) ‘Precarious delegates: Irregular forms of employee interest representation in Germany', Industrial Relations Journal, 44 (4):409-24.
Artus, I. (2017) ‘Das “ungewöhnlich intensive” Streikjahr 2015. Ursachen, Ergebnisse, Perspektiven’ [The ‘extraordinary’ strike year 2015. Reasons, results, perspectives], PROKLA. Zeitschrift für kritische Sozialwissenschaft, 47 (1):145-62.
Artus, I. & J. Pflüger (2015) ‘Feminisierung von Arbeitskonflikten. Überlegungen zur gendersensiblen Analyse von Streiks’ [Feminisation of labour disputes. Towards a gender-sensitive analysis of strike action], AIS Arbeits- und Industriesoziologische Studien, 8 (2):92-108.
Barthel, G. & J. Rottenbach (2017) ‘Reelle Subsumtion und Insubordination im Zeitalter der digitalen Maschinerie. Mit-Untersuchung der Streikenden bei Amazon in Leipzig’ [Real subsumption and insubordination in times of the digital machinery. Co-research with the striking workers at Amazon in Leipzig], PROKLA. Zeitschrift für kritische Sozialwissenschaft, 47 (2):249-69.
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Briken, K. & P. Taylor (2018) ‘Fulfilling the “British Way”. Beyond constrained choice - Amazon workers’ lived experiences of workfare', Industrial Relations Journal, 49 (5-6):438-58.
Buttigieg, D.M., S.J. Deery & R.I. Iverson (2008) ‘Union mobilization: A consideration of the factors affecting the willingness of union members to take industrial action', British Journal of Industrial Relations, 46 (2):248-67.
Cohen, A. (1992) ‘Attitudinal militancy and propensity to strike among unionized engineers and X-ray technicians', Human Relations, 45 (12):1333-66.
Dixon, M. & V.J. Roscigno (2003) ‘Status, networks, and social movement participation: The case of striking workers', American Journal of Sociology, 108 (6):1292-327.
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Malet, J.-B. (2013) En Amazonie: Infiltré dans le ‘meilleur des mondes' [In Amazonia. Undercover at the world's greatest], Paris: Fayard.
Martin, J.E. (1986) ‘Predictors of individual propensity to strike', Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 39:214-27.
Martin, J.E. & R.R. Sinclair (2001) ‘A multiple motive perspective on strike propensities', Journal of Organizational Behavior, 22 (4):387-407.
McClendon, J.A. & B. Klaas (1993) ‘Determinants of strike-related militancy: An analysis of a university faculty strike', Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 46 (3):560-73.
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Wilkin, C.L. (2013) ‘I can't get no job satisfaction: Meta-analysis comparing permanent and contingent workers', Journal of Organizational Behavior, 34 (1):47-64.
Wright, C. & J. Lund (1996) ‘Best-practice Taylorism: “Yankee speed-up” in Australian grocery distribution', Journal of Industrial Relations, 38 (2):196-212.

Comments

Comment on this article

[1] Akkerman, A., M.J. Born & R. Torenvlied (2013) ‘Solidarity, strikes, and scabs: How participation norms affect union members’ willingness to strike', Work and Occupations, 40 (3):250-80.

[2] Allen, W.B. (1997) ‘The logistics revolution and transportation', The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 553:106-16.

[3] Altenried, M. (2017) ‘Die Plattform als Fabrik. Crowdwork, Digitaler Taylorismus und die Vervielfältigung der Arbeit’ [The platform as factory: Crowdwork, digital Taylorism and the multiplication of labour], PROKLA. Zeitschrift für kritische Sozialwissenschaft, 47 (2):175-91.

[4] Amazing Workers (2018) United Across Borders. Accessed May 29, 2018 from https://amworkers.wordpress.com/category/en/.

[5] Apicella, S. (2016) Amazon in Leipzig: Von den Gründen, (nicht) zu streiken [Amazon in leipzig. Reasons (not) to strike], Berlin: Rosa Luxemburg Foundation.

[6] Artus, I. (2013) ‘Precarious delegates: Irregular forms of employee interest representation in Germany', Industrial Relations Journal, 44 (4):409-24.

[7] Artus, I. (2017) ‘Das “ungewöhnlich intensive” Streikjahr 2015. Ursachen, Ergebnisse, Perspektiven’ [The ‘extraordinary’ strike year 2015. Reasons, results, perspectives], PROKLA. Zeitschrift für kritische Sozialwissenschaft, 47 (1):145-62.

[8] Artus, I. & J. Pflüger (2015) ‘Feminisierung von Arbeitskonflikten. Überlegungen zur gendersensiblen Analyse von Streiks’ [Feminisation of labour disputes. Towards a gender-sensitive analysis of strike action], AIS Arbeits- und Industriesoziologische Studien, 8 (2):92-108.

[9] Barthel, G. & J. Rottenbach (2017) ‘Reelle Subsumtion und Insubordination im Zeitalter der digitalen Maschinerie. Mit-Untersuchung der Streikenden bei Amazon in Leipzig’ [Real subsumption and insubordination in times of the digital machinery. Co-research with the striking workers at Amazon in Leipzig], PROKLA. Zeitschrift für kritische Sozialwissenschaft, 47 (2):249-69.

[10] Behr, M. (2000) ‘Ostdeutsche Arbeitsspartaner’ [East-German working Spartans]. Die politische Meinung. Monatsschrift zu Fragen der Zeit, 369:27-38.

[11] Boewe, J. & J. Schulten (2017) The Long Struggle of the Amazon Employees: Laboratory of Resistance, Brussels: Rosa Luxemburg Foundation.

[12] Briken, K. & P. Taylor (2018) ‘Fulfilling the “British Way”. Beyond constrained choice - Amazon workers’ lived experiences of workfare', Industrial Relations Journal, 49 (5-6):438-58.

[13] Buttigieg, D.M., S.J. Deery & R.I. Iverson (2008) ‘Union mobilization: A consideration of the factors affecting the willingness of union members to take industrial action', British Journal of Industrial Relations, 46 (2):248-67.

[14] Cohen, A. (1992) ‘Attitudinal militancy and propensity to strike among unionized engineers and X-ray technicians', Human Relations, 45 (12):1333-66.

[15] Dixon, M. & V.J. Roscigno (2003) ‘Status, networks, and social movement participation: The case of striking workers', American Journal of Sociology, 108 (6):1292-327.

[16] Dörre, K. (2016) ‘Die neue Konfliktformation. Klassen-Kämpfe in fragmentierten Arbeitsbeziehungen’ [The new conflict formation: Class conflicts in the age of fragmented labour relations], Industrielle Beziehungen, 23 (3):348-65.

[17] Dörre, K., T. Goes, S. Schmalz & M. Thiel (2016) Streikrepublik Deutschland? Die Erneuerung der Gewerkschaften in Ost und West [Strike republic Germany? Trade union renewal in east and west], Frankfurt am Main: Campus Verlag.

[18] Dribbusch, H. (2007) ‘Industrial action in a low-strike country: Strikes in Germany 1968-2005', in S. van der Velden, H. Dribbusch, D. Lyddon & K. Vandaele (eds), Strikes Around the World. Case-Studies of 15 Countries, Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press:267-97.

[19] Dribbusch, H. (2017) ‘Arbeitskämpfe in schwierigen Zeiten - zur Streikentwicklung im Dienstleistungsbereich’ [Labour struggles in difficult times - On strike developments in the services sector], in P. Artus, S. Birke, S. Kerber-Clasen & W. Menz (eds), Sorge-Kämpfe: Auseinandersetzungen um Arbeit in sozialen Dienstleistungen, Hamburg: VSA Verlag:301-31.

[20] Dribbusch, H. & P. Birke (2012) Die Gewerkschaften in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Organisation, Rahmenbedingungen, Herausforderungen [Trade unions in the federal republic Germany. Organisation, conditions, challenges], Berlin: Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

[21] Gajewska, K. & J. Niesyto (2009) ‘Organising campaigns as “revitaliser” for trade unions? The example of the Lidl campaign', Industrial Relations Journal, 40 (2):156-71.

[22] Gallagher, D.G. & G. Strauss (1991) ‘Union membership attitudes and participation', in G. Strauss, D.G. Gallagher & J. Fiorito (eds), The State of the Unions, Madison: IRRA:52-72.

[23] Glock, B. (2006) Stadtentwicklungspolitik in schrumpfenden Städten. Duisburg und Leipzig im Vergleich [Urban development policy in shrinking cities. Duisburg and Leipzig by comparison], Wiesbaden: VSA Verlag.

[24] Head, S. (2003) The Ruthless Economy: Work and Power in the Digital Age, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[25] Hinke, R. (2008) ‘“Eastanizing”: Gewerkschaftliche Herausforderung Ostdeutschland’ ['Eastanizing'. Challenges for the trade unions in Eastern Germany], PROKLA. Zeitschrift für kritische Sozialwissenschaft, 38 (1):113-28.

[26] Jansen, G., A. Akkerman & K. Vandaele (2014) ‘Undermining mobilization? The effect of job flexibility and job instability on the willingness to strike', Economic and Industrial Democracy, 38 (1):1-19.

[27] Klandermans, B. (1986) ‘Psychology and trade union participation: Joining, acting, quitting', Journal of Occupational Psychology, 59 (3):189-204.

[28] Kocsis, A., G. Sterkel & J. Wiedemuth (eds) (2013) Organisieren am Konflikt. Tarifauseinandersetzungen und Mitgliederentwicklung im Dienstleistungssektor [Organizing through conflict. Tariff disputes and membership developments in the service sector], Hamburg: VSA Verlag.

[29] Kutlu, Y. (2013) ‘Partizipative Streikführung. Der Erzieherinnenstreik'[Participatory strike leadership. Preschool teachers strike], in S. Schmalz (ed.), Comeback der Gewerkschaften? Machtressourcen, innovative Praktiken, internationale Perspektiven, Frankfurt a.M.: Campus Verlag:226-41.

[30] Lierow, M., S. Janssen & J. D'Incà (2016) ‘Amazon is using logistics to lead a retail revolution', Forbes, February 18. Accessed February 18, 2016 from https://www.forbes.com/sites/oliverwyman/2016/02/18/amazon-is-using-logistics-to-lead-a-retail-revolution/#3fb79d124e43.

[31] Malet, J.-B. (2013) En Amazonie: Infiltré dans le ‘meilleur des mondes' [In Amazonia. Undercover at the world's greatest], Paris: Fayard.

[32] Martin, J.E. (1986) ‘Predictors of individual propensity to strike', Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 39:214-27.

[33] Martin, J.E. & R.R. Sinclair (2001) ‘A multiple motive perspective on strike propensities', Journal of Organizational Behavior, 22 (4):387-407.

[34] McClendon, J.A. & B. Klaas (1993) ‘Determinants of strike-related militancy: An analysis of a university faculty strike', Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 46 (3):560-73.

[35] Menard, S. (2011) ‘Standards for standardized logistic regression coefficients', Social Forces, 89 (4):1409-28.

[36] Ng, I. (1991) ‘Predictors of strike voting behavior: The case of university faculty', Journal of Labor Research, 12:123-34.

[37] Owczarek, D. & A. Chełstowska (2018) Amazon in Polen: Arbeitsbedingungen und Arbeitsbeziehungen [Amazon in Poland. Working conditions and industrial relations], Warsaw: Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

[38] Schroeder, W. (2016) ‘Konfliktpartnerschaft - still alive. Veränderter Konfliktmodus in der verarbeitenden Industrie’ [Conflict partnership - still alive. The changed conflict mode in the manufacturing industry], Industrielle Beziehungen, 23 (3):374-92.

[39] Silver, B. (2008) Forces of Labor: Workers’ Movements and Globalization Since 1870, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

[40] Transnational Social Strike Platform (2017) ‘Logistics and the transnational social strike: Fall 2017 journal'. Accessed October 13, 2018 from https://www.transnational-strike.info/wp-content/uploads/Logistics-the-Transnational-Social-Strike-%E2%80%94-TSS-Journal-Fall-2017-1.pdf.

[41] Vahrenkamp, R. (2012) The Logistic Revolution: The Rise of Logistics in the Mass Consumption Society, Lohmar: Josef Eul Verlag.

[42] Van Stekelenburg, J. & B. Klandermans (2013) ‘The social psychology of protest', Current Sociology, 61 (5-6):886-905.

[43] Waddington, J. (2006) ‘Why do members leave? The importance of retention to trade union growth', Labour Studies Journal, 31 (3):15-38.

[44] Waddington, J. & A. Kerr (1999) ‘Trying to stem the flow: Union membership turnover in the public sector', Industrial Relations Journal, 30:184-96.

[45] Wilkin, C.L. (2013) ‘I can't get no job satisfaction: Meta-analysis comparing permanent and contingent workers', Journal of Organizational Behavior, 34 (1):47-64.

[46] Wright, C. & J. Lund (1996) ‘Best-practice Taylorism: “Yankee speed-up” in Australian grocery distribution', Journal of Industrial Relations, 38 (2):196-212.