Amazon has decided to revert to a third-party delivery model in Quebec after phasing out operations in seven sites across the province by March of 2025. This move will render about 1,700 full-time employees jobless. It will also impact about 250 seasonal workers. It is believed that this third-party model of delivery will offer more savings to the customers, and has already been used by Amazon before the pandemic.
It is pertinent to mention here that Quebec is the only site where Amazon employees are unionised. In May 2024, about 300 warehouse workers under the aegis of the Canadian labour union, Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) had unionised as they had been unhappy with the wages and lack of proper health and safety measures at the Amazon facilities.
Naturally, the union feels that this move to phase out operations is specifically targeted at the unionised workers and is aimed at discouraging union activities. Therefore, opposition to this move is expected to be strong.
Amongst the facilities being shut down are one fulfilment centre, two sorting centres, three delivery stations and a facility that helps ship large shipments including televisions and furniture. The impacted workers will be offered a severance package of up to 14 weeks’ salary along with outplacement support to ensure smooth transition.
The Canadian government is disappointed with the move, and Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, has expressed his objection on social media.
