CBC
Wed, April 10, 2024
Unifor says they believe a
The B.C. Labour Relations Board will consider certifying unions at two Amazon warehouses in a hearing Tuesday.
Unifor, Canada's largest private sector union, began a card-signing drive last summer citing labour laws favourable to unions in the province.
If certified, Unifor says, this would be the first successful unionization effort for Amazon workplaces in Canada.
Unifor western director Gavin McGarrigle said "hundreds and hundreds" of workers in Delta and New Westminster have signed since their campaign began. McGarrigle did not specify what percentage of workers signed, however.
Gavin McGarrigle with Unifor said "hundreds and hundreds" of Amazon workers at the two Lower Mainland warehouses expressed their desire for collective bargaining during the card drive.
Gavin McGarrigle with Unifor said "hundreds and hundreds" of Amazon workers at the two Lower Mainland warehouses expressed their desire for collective bargaining during the card drive. (Martin Diotte/CBC)
"We're not going to tip our hand to Amazon. We'll make those arguments to the labour board," McGarrigle said, explaining the board would contact Amazon to verify employee numbers and compare that to the number of signed cards.
"We believe we've got a strong majority," he said. "We know there are hundreds of workers in both of these warehouses that are just begging for the chance to get to the bargaining table."
Under B.C. labour rules, amended in 2022, if at least 55 per cent of workers in a workplace sign union cards, the union will be automatically certified.
But if the number of workers signing represents 45 to 55 per cent of the workforce, a secret ballot will be called in order to certify the union.
McGarrigle said workers in B.C. have complained of low pay, overwork and dangerous conditions at Amazon.
In Canada, some former Amazon employees have told CBC News that they were fired for trying to organize their colleagues.
In an email, Amazon said employees have always had the choice of whether or not they wish to join a union.
"The fact is, Amazon already offers what many unions are requesting: safe and inclusive workplaces, competitive pay, health benefits on day one, and opportunities for career growth," senior PR manager Barbara M. Agrait wrote.
"We look forward to working with our employees to continue making Amazon a great place to work."
In 2022, workers in New York formed the first American Amazon union.
Unifor applies to represent two Amazon fulfilment centres in Metro Vancouver
The Canadian Press
Wed, April 10, 2024
VANCOUVER — Unifor has filed two applications to represent Vancouver-area Amazon workers with the B.C. Labour Relations Board.
The union said in a press release Wednesday that it has filed applications for an Amazon fulfilment centre in New Westminster and one in Delta.
"Workers at Amazon are seeking job security, health and safety, and fair wages,” Lana Payne, the union's national president, said in the release.
Unifor first announced a union drive for Amazon workers in Metro Vancouver last July, and says workers began signing cards in October.
When the union drive was announced, Payne said Amazon workers put themselves at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, and joining a union would help them push their employer to improve working conditions.
The drive is part of a wider movement that has been facing an uphill battle.
Two years ago, Amazon workers in Staten Island, New York, voted to unionize, a historic moment for a brand-new Amazon Labor Union.
But today, that warehouse remains the only U.S. site that has voted to unionize, and it doesn’t have a contract yet as the retail giant is resisting efforts to bargain.
“We call on Amazon to respect the wishes of workers and avoid using the legal tricks and games it has played in the past to block unionization,” Unifor western regional director Gavin McGarrigle said in the press release.
Unifor said that the labour relations board will determine whether a vote is needed to certify the applications.
Under B.C. law, if the signed cards represent more than 55 per cent of the eligible workforce at a facility, union certification is granted and the union and employer can begin bargaining a collective agreement.
If the cards represent at least 45 per cent of the eligible workforce, a vote may be called instead.
A spokeswoman for Amazon said the company looks forward to working with employees to "continue making Amazon a great place to work."
"The fact is, Amazon already offers what many unions are requesting: safe and inclusive workplaces, competitive pay, health benefits on day one, and opportunities for career growth," spokeswoman Barbara Agrait said in an email.
-- With files from The Associated Press
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2024.
The Canadian Press
The Canadian Press
Wed, April 10, 2024
VANCOUVER — Unifor has filed two applications to represent Vancouver-area Amazon workers with the B.C. Labour Relations Board.
The union said in a press release Wednesday that it has filed applications for an Amazon fulfilment centre in New Westminster and one in Delta.
"Workers at Amazon are seeking job security, health and safety, and fair wages,” Lana Payne, the union's national president, said in the release.
Unifor first announced a union drive for Amazon workers in Metro Vancouver last July, and says workers began signing cards in October.
When the union drive was announced, Payne said Amazon workers put themselves at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, and joining a union would help them push their employer to improve working conditions.
The drive is part of a wider movement that has been facing an uphill battle.
Two years ago, Amazon workers in Staten Island, New York, voted to unionize, a historic moment for a brand-new Amazon Labor Union.
But today, that warehouse remains the only U.S. site that has voted to unionize, and it doesn’t have a contract yet as the retail giant is resisting efforts to bargain.
“We call on Amazon to respect the wishes of workers and avoid using the legal tricks and games it has played in the past to block unionization,” Unifor western regional director Gavin McGarrigle said in the press release.
Unifor said that the labour relations board will determine whether a vote is needed to certify the applications.
Under B.C. law, if the signed cards represent more than 55 per cent of the eligible workforce at a facility, union certification is granted and the union and employer can begin bargaining a collective agreement.
If the cards represent at least 45 per cent of the eligible workforce, a vote may be called instead.
A spokeswoman for Amazon said the company looks forward to working with employees to "continue making Amazon a great place to work."
"The fact is, Amazon already offers what many unions are requesting: safe and inclusive workplaces, competitive pay, health benefits on day one, and opportunities for career growth," spokeswoman Barbara Agrait said in an email.
-- With files from The Associated Press
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2024.
The Canadian Press
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