Unifor has shared that it prevailed before the BC Labour Relations Board (BCLRB), which granted union certification to workers at Amazon.com, Inc.’s fulfilment centre in Delta, BC, who can now commence negotiating their first collective bargaining agreement.
The BCLRB determined that certification was the only reasonable remedy, given Amazon’s meddling in the union drive and its impeding of the process, according to a news release from Unifor.
“Workers at Amazon organized against very difficult odds, but they've slayed the giant,” said Lana Payne, Unifor national president, in the news release. “This ruling sends a clear message to companies that bullying workers will only backfire in the end.”
“Warehouse workers are better off with a union,” added Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western regional director, in the news release. “Unifor will continue to provide support to workers at Amazon facilities across the country to improve working conditions and win fair pay.”
CBC reported that the BCLRB’s finding in Unifor’s favour marked the fulfilment centre in Delta, BC, as the multinational company’s third facility in North America to unionize.
Previously, Amazon facility workers formed unions at the “JFK8” distribution centre on Staten Island in New York in April 2022 and at the "DXT4" warehouse in Laval, Quebec, last year.
However, CBC said Amazon closed its seven Quebec facilities in January to save costs, with the affected union claiming that thousands of workers were still waiting to receive the appropriate severance or assistance.
Union’s efforts
Unifor commenced an awareness campaign at Amazon facilities on June 21, 2023, while union card signing started on Oct. 19, 2023.
“Hundreds of workers at Amazon have signed union cards and talked to Unifor organizers about their hopes for safer work, better pay, and improved benefits,” Payne said in a media advisory. “We’re excited to move to the next phase of this historic campaign.”
On Apr. 10, 2024, Unifor brought two BCLRB applications to certify the worker units at two Amazon fulfilment centres in Metro Vancouver – one at 450 Derwent Place in Delta, and the other at 109 Braid Street in New Westminster.
“Workers at Amazon are seeking job security, better health and safety, and fair wages,” Payne said in a news release from that time. “Forming a democratic union in their workplace is the path to improved conditions of work.”
“We call on Amazon to respect the wishes of workers and avoid using the legal tricks and games it has played in the past to block unionization,” McGarrigle said in Unifor’s news release. “Unions are good for workers, and Amazon is no different.”
On May 27, 2024, the BCLRB issued an order for a confidential vote to run that week. The next day, Unifor announced that workers at Amazon’s Delta facility could vote to join it from May 28–31, 2024, with a simple majority of votes cast making Unifor the official bargaining representative.
“The power of union representation is within reach for Amazon workers at Delta,” Payne said in a news release from that time. “The best way to have a strong voice at work is to vote to join our union and send your employer a clear collective message.”
“Thousands of warehouse workers across Canada are already represented by Unifor and enjoy the higher wages, extended benefits, and job security of a union,” McGarrigle said in Unifor’s news release. “Workers at Amazon deserve a union.”