Amazon hit by strikes in Germany

Berlin - Warehouse staff at US-based online retailer Amazon resumed strikes on Thursday at three logistics centres in Germany in a year-old deadlock over pay.

The trade union Verdi said at least 700 unionised staff refused to work the first shift of the day at the sites, located in Bad Hersfeld, where there are two warehouses, and Leipzig.

Verdi is demanding Amazon pay 9 000 German staff wages that are comparable to those for warehouse runners at regular German retailers.

Amazon says it aligns with the lower rates paid by the German transport industry at logistics hubs. The strikes last flared in December and earlier this month, with no sign of a settlement in sight.

Verdi has portrayed the fight as a defence of the German way of doing business.