Unions trying to organize at Amazon workplaces across Canada are facing a series of hurdles, including legal challenges and alleged anti-union tactics from the e-commerce giant.
Labour laws in Canada are generally stronger than those south of the border, where unions also face an uphill battle, experts say.
"Our employees have the right to choose to join a union or not to do so. They always have," Amazon spokeswoman Barbara Agrait said in a statement, responding to characterizations of Amazon as anti-union."We favour opportunities for each person to be respected and valued as an individual, and to have their unique voice heard by working directly with our team," Agrait said.
Experts say Canada’s labour laws prevent similar delays from happening here since most jurisdictions have what’s known as first-contract arbitration, where parties can request arbitration for a first collective agreement. “The Quebec labour laws ... make a real difference,” said Caroline Senneville, president of the CSN. She said card-check certification is one of several provisions that help strengthen a union’s position leading up to certification and during the bargaining process.“They’re basically saying that they know Canadian labour law better than the Canadian Supreme Court,” he said.
The judge’s characterization of the Amazon workforce is accurate, said Mostafa Henaway, an organizer with the Immigrant Workers Centre in Montreal who researches Amazon workers at Concordia University and who previously wrote about his own experience working at the Laval warehouse.'Running out of options'
The union also alleges Amazon engaged in anti-union efforts similar to those addressed by Quebec’s labour tribunal, in particular anti-union messaging.Justin Gniposky, Unifor’s director of organizing, said Amazon initially sought to prevent the vote from going ahead, unsuccessfully.
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