Amazon Faces Massive Boycott in Quebec After Laying Off 4,500 Workers

The Centre des travailleurs et travailleuses immigrants (CTI) and the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) have called on the public to boycott Amazon during the holiday season following the company's closure of several distribution centers in Quebec, which resulted in 4,500 people losing their jobs.

Protest Held on Black Friday

Activists from CTI and CSN took to the streets of downtown Montreal on Black Friday to distribute leaflets, urging shoppers to support local businesses instead of Amazon. A press briefing was held in front of the office of Quebec’s Minister of Labour, Jean Boulet, with organizers criticizing the minister's inaction for worsening the situation for affected families.

Union Leaders Speak Out

Bertrand Guibord, president of the Conseil central du Montréal métropolitain-CSN, emphasized that the protest aimed to remind the public that the boycott is ongoing. He accused Amazon of not following provincial laws and retaliating against workers' unionizing efforts, stating, "Such retaliation, which intimidates any employee who would like to unionize, here or elsewhere, is illegal." Guibord highlighted that up to 4,500 people, including delivery drivers and warehouse employees, lost their income due to the closures and vowed continued pressure until warehouses reopen and layoffs are canceled.

Guibord noted that while many people rely on Amazon due to its "overwhelming" presence, awareness of the boycott is growing, and the unions are there to remind consumers of the ongoing issues.

Impact on Workers

Mostafa Henaway, a community organizer for CTI, pointed out that the protest coincided with the busiest online shopping day of the year. He described how workers laid off by Amazon face difficulties finding new jobs, as other companies may view them as "blacklisted" due to their association with union activities. Henaway also highlighted the high injury rates at Amazon, which took a physical toll on employees, and criticized the lack of job search assistance measures for laid-off workers.

Félix Trudeau, president of the Syndicat des travailleuses et travailleurs d’Amazon Laval-CSN, blamed both the government and Amazon for not providing mandated support, stating, "With the complicity of the CAQ government, Amazon has not put in place the job search assistance measures provided for by law."

Henaway called for government intervention, such as implementing a Reclassification Committee, and stressed that holding Amazon accountable is crucial for protecting workers' rights across the province, saying, "This actually just isn’t about Amazon. This is about the rights of everybody who wants a decent and safe job in this province."