The Confédération des syndicats nationaux levelled the charge in a formal notice sent to Amazon today.
In the letter to Jean-François Héroux, General Manager of the YUL2 warehouse in Lachine, the union protested against Héroux’s comments in an executive newsletter sent to all employees.
Referring to the CSN-backed campaign to organize the 300 employees, Héroux wrote, “I want to retain the ability to speak directly with you about your concerns – without a third party between us. I want to share information to explain why I fell that way […]. If you are considering having a third party speak for you, I want to understand why.”
The CSN contends that Amazon is attempting to spread an opinion contrary to the unionization process underway in Montréal, which is a violation of the Québec Labour Code and the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. The employer is interfering in a process which, under Québec law, belongs exclusively to the employees, who do not need to defend or justify their decision to exercise their right to be represented collectively by the union of their choice.
The CSN is relying on the following provisions of the Québec Labour Code:
12. No employer, or person acting for an employer or an association of employers, shall in any manner seek to dominate, hinder or finance the formation or the activities of any association of employees, or to participate therein.
13. No person shall use intimidation or threats to induce anyone to become, refrain from becoming or cease to be a member of an association of employees or an employers’ association.
14. No employer nor any person acting for an employer or an employers’ association may refuse to employ any person because that person exercises a right arising from this Code, or endeavour by intimidation, discrimination or reprisals, threat of dismissal or other threat, or by the imposition of a sanction or by any other means, to compel an employee to refrain from or to cease exercising a right arising from this Code.
