UNITE accused online retailer Amazon today of profiteering from the coronavirus pandemic by selling goods at hyperinflated prices as the union staged protests at several iconic venues in Middlesbrough.

Research by Unite has identified “price gouging” on 50 items, including soap, antibacterial spray and wipes, washing-up liquid, hand wash, bleach, thermometers, face masks, toilet paper and disposable gloves.

Denying the allegation, Amazon said it had worked with the government’s Competition and Markets Authority to prevent price gouging and had terminated accounts with companies attempting the practice. 

Unite is mounting a mobile campaign to make Amazon recognise trade unions and treat its employees decently.

This involves banner drops in major towns and cities where the company has operations, using local sites of interest as backdrops to its events.

today, the campaign reached Middlesbrough in North Yorkshire, where sites included the local aerial transporter bridge that can carry 200 people across the River Tees to Hartlepool.