Amazon Canada announced plans to close seven of its warehouses in Quebec and lay off nearly 2,200 permanent and temporary staff over a period of a couple of months, job losses that will send a ripple effect into its delivery partners, meaning closer to 4,500 jobs will be impacted.
A legal challenge is being put forth on the grounds that the company operated contrary to labour code. The challenge could include a fight for worker compensation on top of severance packages which will include up to 14 weeks’ pay and transitional benefits.
Many have attributed the move as a union busting effort, as one of the warehouses was the first of the company’s Canadian warehouses to unionize back in 2024. The company has denied this as the reason for doing so.
The closing sites include warehouses in Lachine, Longueuil, Coteau-du-Lac, and Laval, and include one fulfilment centre, two sorting centres, three delivery stations, and a facility referred to AMXL which supports the shipment of large goods like TVs or furniture.
