Labour arbitrator looks into collective agreement for Amazon warehouse in Laval
Posted February 25, 2025 11:48 am.
Last Updated February 25, 2025 11:49 am.
While Amazon has decided to close its warehouses in Quebec and outsource their operations, a labour arbitrator is being asked to decide on a first collective agreement for the 287 unionized employees at Amazon’s DXT4 warehouse in Laval.
The Ministry of Labour passed the negotiations to first-agreement arbitration on Friday, after the conciliator reported that the parties were stuck.
“Whether Amazon likes it or not, there will be a collective agreement for Laval warehouse employees,” said CSN president Caroline Senneville.
On top of the collective agreement, the arbitrator appointed to the case will be called upon to determine a wage increase to be given to the laid-off employees for all hours worked since bargaining began.
The arbitrator will also have the task to rule on the right of the terminated employees to be called back to work, a clause in the collective agreement that will be particularly significant if the Administrative Labour Tribunal (ALT) orders the reopening of the warehouses.
A legal action filed with the administrative labour tribunal is calling for an end to the obstruction of the union, and to resume of activities in the seven warehouses targeted by the complaint and the payment of more than one year’s salary to each employee as compensation.
“If Amazon thought it could just shut its warehouses and have the work done by subcontractors rather than have to abide by a collective agreement, it is sadly mistaken,” said Senneville.
Amazon previously dismissed claims that the layoffs are linked to a recent unionization push in the province, saying instead that it was about increasing efficiency.
“We respect people’s right to peacefully protest. The decision to revert back to a third-party delivery model in Quebec supported by local small businesses, similar to what we had until 2020, will allow us to provide the same great service and even more savings to our customers over the long run,” Amazon spokesperson Barbara Agrait said to CityNews in previous email. “In making this decision, we’ve complied and will continue to comply with all applicable federal and provincial laws.”
