Federal NDP slams Amazon for ceasing operations in Quebec

FEDERAL NDP Labour Critic Matthew Green on Wednesday said that Amazon’s decision to shut down operations in Quebec “is a shameful act of corporate union-busting and a direct attack on workers fighting for fair pay and safe conditions.”

He called it “a wake-up call.”

Green said: “For years, the Liberals have let workers down by refusing to hold billionaire corporations and their CEOs, like Amazon, to account and now we’re seeing the result. And Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives are no better. Poilievre’s so-called plan to help workers is to give more power to their big billionaire bosses, and fewer protections to you, the workers.”

“The NDP has a solution. We’re fighting to introduce sectoral bargaining and level the playing field for all workers, and to hold these massive corporations to account. It’s the people’s time,” he added.

 

MEANWHILE, Unifor said it denounced Amazon’s decision to close seven warehouses in Quebec. The union also reaffirmed support for the ConfĂ©dĂ©ration des syndicats nationaux (CSN), which has fought to improve conditions for Quebec’s unionized Amazon workers.

“This is exactly what happens when companies are left to do as they please, without any framework or labour laws with real teeth. Decisions motivated solely by profit are too often made to the detriment of workers. It’s union-busting that should never be allowed in our country,” said Lana Payne, Unifor’s national president.

Unifor said Amazon announced a restructuring of its Quebec operations that will see more than 2,000 people lose their jobs. The company insists that this is not related to recent unionization efforts in the province.

“These closures underline the importance for workers to be part of a union and to be able to count on a strong collective voice to defend their rights. The best way for precarious workers to protect themselves is to join a union,” said Daniel Cloutier, Quebec Director of Unifor.

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