TB cases confirmed at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse as workers demand immediate shutdown

What happened: Amazon confirmed multiple tuberculosis (TB) cases among workers at its Coventry fulfilment centre in the UK.

• Why it matters now: TB is a serious airborne infection, and unions warn the outbreak could spread quickly inside a high-density warehouse.

• What changes for people: Staff are demanding a temporary closure, deep cleaning, and medical screening to protect thousands of workers.

• Who is affected: Around 3,000 employees, contract staff, delivery partners, and their households.

Amazon has confirmed that several workers at its Coventry fulfilment centre have tested positive for tuberculosis (TB), prompting urgent calls from the GMB union for the warehouse to be fully shut down until the outbreak is contained. The centre is one of Amazon’s busiest UK hubs, processing thousands of packages daily and employing a large workforce in close-contact environments.

What Amazon and health officials have said

Amazon stated that it is cooperating with UK public health authorities, who have begun tracing contacts and assessing potential transmission risks. Officials have assured workers that TB is treatable but emphasised that early detection and limited exposure are crucial to preventing further spread.

The union, however, argues that keeping the facility open poses “an unacceptable risk” to employees, citing the warehouse’s dense working conditions, shared equipment, and constant movement of staff between departments.

Why workers are alarmed

TB spreads through airborne droplets, especially in enclosed spaces where people work in proximity for long hours. Employees say the current situation has heightened fear inside the building, with some reporting that they were informed about the cases much later than expected.

GMB representatives claim that several workers have already fallen ill and that more cases may emerge if operations continue uninterrupted. They insist that Amazon must implement temporary closure, mass testing, and comprehensive sanitisation before reopening.

The broader implications

The outbreak raises pressing questions about workplace health standards in major logistics centres, where thousands work in tight schedules and rely heavily on shared infrastructure. Public health experts say such settings can accelerate the spread of airborne infections if not managed with strict safeguards.

For Amazon, the situation comes at a time of ongoing labour disputes in Coventry, including calls for better pay and improved working conditions. The TB outbreak has added fresh scrutiny to the company’s safety protocols.