Confédération des
syndicats nationaux
Grande
Manifestation | Métro Mont-Royal
On January 22, Amazon announced it is closing its seven warehouses in Québec and outsourcing its operations, eliminating more than 4,500 jobs. This anti-union move violates provincial and federal labour laws.
Our governments and public institutions must set an example: they shouldn’t do business with a company that flouts our laws. We must stop enriching this rogue U.S. multinational.
The CSN is calling on Québec City, Ottawa, municipalities and all public agencies to stop buying from Amazon and cancel all contracts with Amazon, including cloud services. Those dollars should go to local businesses that respect our laws—and our tax system.
The CSN is also calling on the members of its unions and all workers and the general public to support local businesses and stop buying from Amazon.
Amazon Canada announces plans to build its first sorting centre in Québec. It will open in July 2020 in Lachine.
Amazon announces construction of five more facilities in Québec: a sorting centre in Coteau-du-Lac, another in Longueuil, two delivery stations in Laval and one in Lachine.
Workers at the YUL2 warehouse in Lachine contact the CSN about forming a union. The campaign to organize Amazon’s warehouses begins.
The general manager of the YUL2 warehouse writes to all employees in the facility:
“We have seen union activity around our building lately, and the media has been reporting on union efforts as well…. I want to retain the ability to speak directly with you about your concerns—without a third party between us. I want to share information that explains why I feel that way…. If you are considering a third party to speak for you, I want to understand why.”
The YUL2 warehouse is plastered with posters. Wherever they go—the corridors, break rooms, bathrooms, toilets, the cafeteria—employees can’t escape Amazon’s anti-union messaging. Amazon’s scare tactics target immigrant workers with precarious status:
“Protect your signature. Joining a union is a personal choice—it should not be taken lightly.”
“The facts about unions. Unions cannot guarantee changes to the workplace.”
“Protect your signature. You don’t have to provide your personal information.”
“The facts about unions. Unions charge you dues.”
“Protect your signature. You have the right to decide whether or not to sign a card.”
“Speak with your leaders to learn more.”
After two formal notices, the CSN files a complaint for interference, hindrance and anti-union practices at Amazon’s YUL2 warehouse under sections 3, 12 and 111.33 of the Québec Labour Code. The Tribunal upholds the complaint and orders Amazon to pay the union $30,000.
The CSN files an application with the Administrative Labour Tribunal (ALT) to represent the 230 employees at Amazon’s DXT4 warehouse in Laval.
The anti-union posters seen at the YUL2 warehouse in Lachine appear at the DXT4 warehouse in Laval. The CSN brings another legal action for anti-union practices. The hearing opens in October and is adjourned after a day until May 2025.
Amazon’s lawyers notify the Attorney General of Québec that they intend to challenge the constitutionality of section 28 of the Québec Labour Code, in particular the authority of the ALT and its officers to determine that a union has the support of the majority of employees without a secret ballot vote. At the hearing, they will argue that this violates—wait for it—freedom of association!
The Administrative Labour Tribunal determines that the union represents the majority of workers at Amazon’s DXT4 warehouse. The Laval Amazon Workers Union—CSN is certified and becomes the first—and only—Amazon union in Canada.
After consulting the membership and adopting a list of demands at a general assembly, the union’s bargaining committee sends Amazon a notice to bargain, in accordance with the Québec Labour Code.
Bargaining talks begin between Amazon and the Laval Amazon Workers Union.
Administrative Labour Tribunal Judge Henrik Ellefsen orders Amazon to remove and destroy all the anti-union posters the company has put up at its facilities, ruling that the messages “constitute warnings to employees about sensitive issues and are clearly likely to alarm them about the possible consequences of joining a union.” Judge Ellefsen also orders Amazon to pay the union $30,000 in moral and punitive damages.
After two negotiating sessions, the union requests the assistance of the Québec Ministry of Labour’s conciliation service at the bargaining table. The government names a mediator.
The ALT rejects Amazon’s constitutional argument on the grounds that Amazon has neither the standing nor the interest to seek revocation of the certification decision. In her ruling, Judge Irène Zaïkoff dismisses Amazon’s constitutional challenge out of hand, as well as its motion for revocation of the decision to certify the DXT4 warehouse union. Soon afterwards, Amazon announces that it will appeal.
After determining that the contract talks were deadlocked, the Québec government mediator advises the negotiators that if neither party moves from its position, he will have no choice but to report the impasse to the Québec government, the last step under the Labour Code before one of the parties can request arbitration to reach a first collective agreement.
Knowing the provisions of the Labour Code, Amazon’s lawyers agree to the union bargaining team’s suggestion that they get their house in order and agree on as many clauses as possible in order to reduce the scope of the decision of the arbitrator who will be named following the request for first collective agreement arbitration. The union negotiators announce that the request will be submitted shortly.
A final bargaining session is scheduled between Amazon and the union. In the early hours of the morning, Amazon’s lawyers inform the union negotiators that all 300 DXT4 employees have been laid off and Amazon is closing its seven warehouses and outsourcing all of its Québec operations.
Fondée en 1921, la CSN est une organisation syndicale qui œuvre pour une société solidaire, démocratique, juste, équitable et durable.
Elle est composée de près de 1 600 syndicats et regroupe plus de 330 000 travailleuses et travailleurs réunis sur une base sectorielle ou professionnelle dans huit fédérations, ainsi que sur une base régionale dans treize conseils centraux, principalement sur le territoire du Québec, mais également sur l’ensemble du territoire canadien.
