Tom* started working for Amazon as a delivery van driver in Norfolk nearly three years ago. Since then, his rates of pay have been revised numerous times, including at least four changes since September. He and his partner are probably going to have to abandon hopes of buying a home together, as the money Amazon had promised was not sustained. "All of us are constantly terrified of never having enough money to survive," he said. "It really is the most toxic industry." To deliver a service of this scale and complexity, Amazon relies on a network of thousands of drivers. Rather than keeping these workers on its books, it manages them through what are called delivery service providers, small companies that handle groups of drivers, who work as self-employed independent contractors with no right to holiday pay, sick pay or the "national living wage". "As delivery drivers we are exhausted, we've worked tirelessly through a pandemic only to come out of the other side and receive a kick in the teeth," the petition says. "As a single person I don't think I could survive on this money," said Tom in Norfolk. "They want you to be available seven days a week at the drop of a hat for them but they give you no guarantees." Kate Robinson is a lawyer at Leigh Day who is leading legal action by Amazon drivers who say they should be entitled to basic employment rights such as the national living wage and holiday pay. These are denied as Amazon says they are self-employed independent contractors. Amazon said the latest pay changes were not a pay cut but a return to usual rates after the peak Christmas period. It said it had taken action to support delivery service providers over increased fuel costs. "Delivery service providers offer drivers incentives at different times and locations throughout the year to meet operational needs and this is clearly communicated to them at the time. To suggest the end of these incentives are cuts to drivers' earnings is wrong," Amazon said in a statement. designer bags cyber monday