Amazon, the global e-commerce giant, has announced the closure of all its warehouses in Quebec, resulting in the layoff of more than 1,700 regular employees and 250 temporary seasonal workers. This sudden decision has sent shockwaves across the province, leaving workers and communities scrambling for answers and alternatives.
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Amazon to Cease Quebec Operations in Two Months
Amazon will halt operations in seven Quebec facilities over the next two months. These include:
- One fulfillment center
- Two sorting centers
- Three delivery stations
- One AMXL (extra-large item) delivery station, co-located with a sorting center
Barbara Agrait, a spokesperson for Amazon, stated the decision is part of a restructuring plan and denied any direct link to the unionization of 200 employees last spring at the DXT4 warehouse in Laval. However, the timing and circumstances have fueled speculation.
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Impacted Workers Speak Out
Many employees expressed shock and frustration over the lack of prior communication from Amazon.
“Nobody had any idea. We were all blindsided,” said Bobbie-jo Vaughan, a three-year Amazon employee. Vaughan, a single mother, had recently been promoted and was looking forward to better pay and responsibilities. “Then there goes the carpet from under me. What am I going to do next?”
Other employees, like Hardeep Saini and Felhath Idir, voiced similar concerns, worried about how to support their families and navigate an uncertain future.
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What Amazon Says About the Decision
Agrait emphasized that affected employees will receive compensation packages, including:
- Up to 14 weeks of pay
- Transitional benefits such as job placement resources
Seasonal workers will also be compensated until their contracts end. Despite these measures, workers remain disheartened by the abruptness of the decision.
Amazon plans to revert to a third-party delivery model in Quebec, leveraging local businesses for package distribution. “This is something we already had in place until 2020,” said Agrait. “We believe it’s going to allow us to provide the same great service to our customers.”
Union Leaders and Politicians React
The Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), representing Montreal Amazon workers, called the announcement “outrageous” and criticized the company’s anti-union stance. CSN President Caroline Senneville stated, “If our money here in Canada is good enough for you, then our labour laws should be enough for you too.”
Quebec’s Premier François Legault expressed sadness over the layoffs, emphasizing that Amazon’s decision is that of a private company. Employment Minister Kateri Champagne Jourdain pledged government support to help workers find new employment opportunities.
Federal Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne expressed frustration over Amazon’s lack of communication, while Quebec Liberal employment critic Madwa-Nika Cadet suggested the provincial government should boycott Amazon.
Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon criticized the government’s reliance on foreign corporations, stating, “We can’t be surprised that these companies have no loyalty to our workers.”
Workers Left in Limbo
Despite Amazon’s assurances, many employees are uncertain about their futures. Vaughan, for example, is struggling to find a way forward as a single parent.
“We’re human beings, not numbers,” she said. “I have to scramble to figure out what’s next for my family.”
The Larger Picture
Amazon’s decision marks a significant shift in its operations in Quebec, raising questions about the company’s commitment to local workers and communities. The closure highlights the challenges of balancing corporate strategies with the livelihoods of employees.
As Quebec’s government and unions continue to investigate the closures, impacted workers are left hoping for swift action and meaningful support.
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