MAWU members have been working hard to organize the first Amazon warehouse in Québec. Today they focused on the low wages at Amazon’s warehouse in Lachine on the Island of Montréal. At warehouses and distribution centres where workers are represented by unions affiliated with the CSN’s Fédération du commerce, the average wage is around $26 per hour. Amazon workers earn only $18.45.
In addition to better pay, MAWU-CSN is demanding:
- Paid sick days
- Safety measures to reduce work accidents
- Clear rules about the operation of work teams and employee rotation
- An additional paid break
MAWU-CSN activists are relying on the Québec Labour Code, which guarantees total confidentiality for employees who sign a union card. Québec law also provides that if 50% + 1 of employees join the union, it will be recognized by the Administrative Labour Tribunal without any further vote, unlike in the United States and other Canadian provinces.
Employees at Amazon’s Lachine fulfilment centre (YUL2) approached the CSN to form their first union several weeks ago. The organizing campaign is currently underway.
