This is a challenging job because Amazon do the investigation process without GMB reps. Associates are often not well informed about their rights; this can lead them to say things that harm their case. The stakes are high – sometimes the outcome of a disciplinary process can be dismissal. Amazon always prepares a lot of paperwork for each case. As GMB reps, we have to go through all the pages, spending extra hours on this. We need reps from all the departments, sometimes there are health and safety policies for a certain department that Associates and reps from outside that department won’t know.

Amazon’s ‘idle time’ system is a source of many complaints. It is often inconsistent and unfair. This could give grounds for a collective grievance against Amazon.