Amazon is also offering hourly workers a new perk and an expanded benefit. Starting in early 2025, membership in the Prime program, which includes unlimited fast, free delivery of eligible as well as free access to the Prime Video streaming service among many other features, will be offered free of charge to hourly employees.

Amazon also hiked wages for its contracted delivery drivers to roughly $22 an hour as part of a $2.1 billion investment this year.

The company will spend over $2.2 billion on the hikes that will take the base salaries of hourly workers to more than $22 an hour, and more than $29 an hour including benefits. Amazon's decision comes as one of the biggest employers in the U.