Amazon closes Quebec after workers Unionize

The Financial Post is reporting that "Amazon.com Inc. announced on Wednesday that it will close all its Quebec warehouses and lay off about 1,700 full-time employees — a move the union representing workers at the e-commerce behemoth’s only unionized Canadian facility called a “slap in the face for all workers in Quebec.” No kidding.

“Following a recent review of our Quebec operations, we’ve seen that returning to a third-party delivery model supported by local small businesses, similar to what we had until 2020, will allow us to provide the same great service and even more savings to our customers over the long run,” Amazon spokesperson Barbara Agrait said in a statement via email."

As soon as the employees joined a Union the company fired them and contracted out that work. That was dirty and is a common event when workers Unionize. 

Normally that would be illegal. If you fire them for forming a Union you can't restart operations with nonunion. They're getting around that law by contracting it out. We've heard stories of how when a McDonalds Unionizes they close down that franchise.

Jimmy Pattison did the same thing with Save On Foods. He shut down several Save on Foods locations and opened up PriceMart in their place. That broke the contract and employees faced lower wages and less benefits. The one in Fleetwood didn't do so well so they went back to Save on Foods. 

Breach Media is reporting that "Amazon has a message for its army of precarious workers worldwide: dare to unionize and you will be punished. After failing to thwart a historic unionization drive in Quebec, Amazon is now shuttering all its operations in the province, laying off nearly 2,000 workers."

"The move is a brazen attempt to punish workers in the province who achieved what many thought impossible. In May 2024, about 300 workers at the Laval warehouse successfully unionized—a historic first in Canada—despite facing two years of anti-union tactics, intimidation, and surveillance. What’s more, they were set to become the first Amazon workers anywhere in the world to secure a collective agreement."

CBC is reporting that Amazon claimed it wasn't because the employees joined a Union but CBC also posted a timeline of events proving that it was. That is Corporate greed. 

Costco's unionized workers vote to authorize nationwide strike

Meanwhile back on the ranch, 85% of American Costco employees who joined Teamsters voted to go on strike if a contract can't be reached by January 31st 2025. This would be the first time in recorded history Costco had a strike. 

The founders of Costco, Jim Sinegal and Jeff Brotman, were pioneers in the industry who built a very successful and profitable business model based on ethics. They believed in obeying the law, treating your employees well, rewarding members and shareholders. Costco was one of the best nonunion jobs out there. 

Unfortunately, Jeff Brotman passed away and Jim Sinegal is no longer CEO.The regional office in Western Canada has thrown many of those founding principles out the window.

Notwithstanding that fact, I rather transfer than join a Union. For me joining a Union is like having two employers who are as*holes. One is bad enough. Unions always end up protecting the employees that shouldn't be protected. 

Although Teamsters would be by far my preferred choice, (Teamsters' Horsemen rock) the Teamsters in the US have had a past history of shady pension practices. I'm at the age where I can't afford to have anyone steal my pension. 

Every time a contract expires Costco releases a new Employee Agreement. This is what we're willing to give you. They're always fair and match the market. At first I thought it was kind of funny but now I think it's great. If you don't like it, work somewhere else. It's always fair. 

One time a Costco in Metro Vancouver joined a Union and the company gave everyone else a raise so they decertified the union. One could argue if they hadn't joined a Union the rest of us wouldn't have gotten that same raise. 

Many years ago I worked for a large construction company. They were nonunion but a Union shop was right down the street. As a result the company paid us a fair wage so we would go down the street. That's kind of Costco's mentality.

Amazon has a very different business model than Costco. Costco pays their employees a lot better than Amazon. Amazon is nonunion, Costco is not. Amazon will spend money  on Union breaking activities. Costco will not. Costco doesn't waste time or money on things like that. They are far more professional. 

At first I had heard that it was just one Unionized Cosco location that voted to go on strike and I said they better be careful because Costco could just shut that location down. Then a 25 year employee responded Costco wouldn't do that. They don't want to come across as Anti Union. 

Canada Post is like Amazon. they are ruthless and waste millions on anti union activities. Costco is too busy making a profit to water their time and money on that. 

So I see this Teamsters strike vote as a win win situation. They'll get a good contract and Costco will match us just to keep things running smoothly. Right now I have no need to join a Union. What am I unhappy with? Nothing. Do I want more money? No. Do I want more holidays? no. Do I want better benefits? No. I'm happy with what I have. I don't want to screw that up.

Costco co-founder Jeff Brotman put people and principles above profit - So did Jim Sinegal