Black Friday wasn't just about doorbuster deals this year. While shoppers hunted for bargains, Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) workers in 38 countries walked off the job, and Senator Bernie Sanders wasn't about to let it pass quietly.
In a Friday post on X, Sanders threw his weight behind the striking workers, pointedly highlighting CEO Jeff Bezos' $251 billion net worth. The senator shared a message from Progressive International that cut to the heart of the matter: Why can't the world's fifth-wealthiest person provide decent wages and working conditions?
"It's time for international solidarity. Let's stand with striking workers," Sanders wrote.
A Global Movement Picks the Busiest Shopping Day
The timing wasn't coincidental. Progressive International organized the "Make Amazon Pay" campaign to coincide with one of retail's biggest days, posting video footage of protests spanning continents. Progressive International and UNI Global Union are leading the charge, with demonstrations scheduled from Nov. 29 through Dec. 2.
According to UNI Global Union, more than 80 unions and civil society organizations joined the effort. Their demands hit on multiple fronts: fair wages, respect for union rights, proper tax contributions, and environmental sustainability commitments. It's essentially a greatest-hits list of labor and social responsibility concerns.
India's Workers Spell Out What They Want
In India specifically, Amazon workers in 20 cities took to the streets with their union, laying out three concrete demands. They're pushing for a minimum monthly wage of 26,000 rupees, better working conditions, and improved job security. Progressive International highlighted these protests in a separate post, underscoring how the campaign's concerns resonate across different markets.
Sanders didn't stop with Amazon on Friday. He also criticized Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) over executive compensation while workers there continue waiting for contracts.
Meanwhile, the Stock Keeps Climbing
Here's the awkward part for labor organizers: Amazon's stock doesn't seem fazed. Shares are up 5.90% year to date and have gained 13.38% over the past six months. The world's largest online retailer now commands a market capitalization of $2.49 trillion.
The stock has traded in a range between $161.43 and $258.60 over the past year, and it's showing what analysts call strong momentum, landing in the 90th percentile for price trends across all time frames.
So you've got workers in dozens of countries demanding change on one side, and investors watching the stock march steadily higher on the other. It's the kind of tension that makes for interesting boardroom conversations, assuming anyone in the boardroom is listening.
