Amazon Layoffs in Quebec and its decision to shut down all seven distribution centres in Quebec have made waves across Canada, leaving thousands of workers without jobs and sparking widespread protests.
The closures come at a pivotal time for workers’ rights in the logistics industry, raising serious questions about the future of unionization and corporate responsibility.
On January 22, 2025, Amazon announced the closure of its Quebec warehouses, resulting in layoffs affecting approximately 4,700 people. These included 1,900 direct Amazon employees and an estimated 2,800 subcontractor workers.
For many, the Amazon layoffs came as a shock. Workers were informed just weeks before the closures were set to take effect, leaving little time to prepare for unemployment.
Amazon claims the decision was a business move to return to working with third-party delivery services, similar to its model in 2020. The company asserted that this shift would cut costs while maintaining service quality. However, critics argue there is more to the story of the Amazon Layoffs than simple cost-saving measures.
Unions and Worker Voices Speak Out
The Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), one of Canada’s largest labour federations, quickly condemned the closures, accusing Amazon of attempting to undermine unionization efforts.
The timing is notable: in May 2024, the DXT4 warehouse near Montreal became Canada’s first unionized Amazon facility. Negotiations for a first collective agreement were underway when the layoffs were announced.
Union leaders and workers called the closures a deliberate anti-union move. They argue that Amazon is shutting down operations in Quebec to stop the union momentum from spreading. Workers also pointed to unresolved issues such as low wages and unsafe working conditions, including repetitive strain injuries and back problems.
“It feels like a punishment for organizing,” said one former warehouse worker from Laval. Many employees voiced frustration, stating that the workload had grown more challenging in recent years, prompting the need for union representation.
On February 15, hundreds of union members and protesters marched through the snowy streets of Montreal, demanding justice for laid-off workers. Union flags from various industries — steelworkers, nurses, teachers, and more — filled the air as activists rallied around the slogan “Buy Local, Boycott Amazon.”
The protests weren’t limited to Quebec. Workers at an Amazon distribution centre in British Columbia and their allies held solidarity events to support the cause. The Confederation of Canadian Unions has also proposed legal actions to reinstate workers and reopen the warehouses. Their argument is that Amazon’s closures violate labour laws that protect workers and collective bargaining rights.
Amazon Layoffs and Track Record on Unionization
This isn’t the first time Amazon has faced scrutiny over its stance on unions. Globally, the company has been accused of anti-union tactics, including surveillance of workers and distributing materials discouraging unionization.
In July 2024, Quebec’s labour tribunal ruled against Amazon for anti-union activities, requiring the removal of anti-union posters and awarding financial damages to the union.
Despite these setbacks, Amazon maintains that its decisions are unrelated to union efforts. However, the optics of closing unionized warehouses while leaving others unaffected may suggest otherwise.
The CSN calls for a nationwide boycott of Amazon to pressure the company to reverse its decision. They’ve also emphasized the importance of supporting Quebec-based businesses, highlighting how local enterprises could fill the void left by Amazon’s exit.
On a broader level, this battle underscores a growing movement among workers in Canada’s logistics sector to fight for better wages and safer workplaces. As e-commerce giants like Amazon dominate the market, their decisions have a ripple effect across the supply chain.
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