Historic Strike Impact: On April 18, 2025, Amazon drivers in Italy staged a nationwide strike that shut down the entire delivery network. Participation hit 85% nationally, with some cities reaching 100%.
Contractual Wins: The resulting agreement includes:
Gradual pay and bonus increases over three years.
A reduction in the full-time workweek from 42 to 41 hours by 2027.
Expanded long-term contract coverage from 60% to 65%, improving job security.
Rights to stop work during extreme weather events (“red weather alerts”).
Voluntary holiday work provisions.
Global Comparison: Italy vs. the World
UK Strikes: Coventry warehouse workers led by the GMB union staged 38 days of strikes, winning a 28.5% pay raise — the highest Amazon raise in Europe.
India’s Sit-Down Victory: Delhi workers blockaded a closing warehouse for a week and secured better severance terms.
US Struggles: Teamster-led strikes in the U.S. saw only 10–25% participation at select facilities, far below Italy’s coordinated national efforts.
Economics of Organising
Amazon’s Financial Might: With a $2.4 trillion market value and $100 billion in cash, Amazon dwarfs most union budgets.
Union Resources: U.S. unions hold $35 billion in assets, yet invest relatively little in organizing Amazon workers — just $10 million annually from the Teamsters.
Lessons in Militancy
Strike Muscle Memory: Italian unions have built their strength through repeated actions since 2017, including a 13-day strike in Piacenza during the early COVID-19 pandemic.
Immediate Wins: After eight union activists were suspended post-strike, workers threatened another strike — and the suspensions were quickly rescinded.
Amazon workers in Italy have a strong history of labour activism—especially delivery drivers staging strikes and securing collective bargaining wins. Most notably, they sealed a historic, nationwide agreement with Amazon in 2021, a rare feat globally.
More recently, delivery drivers staged major strikes (like in Bologna), resulting in improved pay, working conditions, and a reduction in weekly hours.
