Amazon Canada will face Quebec’s Labour Tribunal starting Friday over the closure of seven warehouses that left 1,700 workers without jobs earlier this year.
The CSN union, which represents the workers, is appealing Amazon’s decision and wants the company to pay employees one year’s salary. The union says the closures were an attempt to “eradicate” union activity, noting that sales in Quebec continued through third-party delivery instead of Amazon’s own centres.
“It is clear to us that the closure of Amazon’s warehouses was primarily intended to curb the ongoing unionization campaign and the conclusion of a first collective agreement in North America,” CSN President Caroline Senneville said in a release, as reported by CTV News.
She added, “After numerous preliminary objections and other delaying tactics used by Amazon, the trial can now move forward. It is time for workers to obtain justice following these closures, which were illegal in several respects.”
The DXT4 warehouse in Laval had recently unionized before the closures, and campaigns were underway at other sites, including YUL2 in Lachine. In August 2024, Quebec’s labour tribunal ordered Amazon to stop interfering in union activity and fined the company $30,000.
Amazon has denied the closures were related to unionization. In a written statement to CTV News, company spokesperson Steve Kelly said the decision followed a review of Quebec operations and a shift back to using local delivery partners. “This decision wasn’t made lightly, and we provided impacted employees a package that includes up to 14 weeks’ pay after facilities closed and transitional benefits, like job placement resources. Throughout this process, we’ve complied and will continue to comply with all applicable federal and provincial laws,” he said.
The trial is set to begin with testimony from Jasmin Begagic, president of Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services, who will argue the closures were a business decision, not tied to unionization.
So who’s taking over in Quebec with Amazon out? One report from The Logic says Temu is now surging in popularity in the province.
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The trucks were on the road EVERYWHERE ALL THE TIME. This had nothing to do with anything other than the unions.
They can easily use over taxation as a reason for closing. Which is not wrong.