Five Legal Losses and Counting—Amazon's Pattern at YVR2
Dear Unifor members,
Since workers at YVR2 began organizing, Amazon has challenged your rights at the B.C. Labour Relations Board and in court five times. They have lost every single time.
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The Board found that Amazon ran an anti-union campaign and hired hundreds of excess workers to try to prevent you from unionizing.
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The Board found that Amazon's conduct was a direct attack on your free choice.
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The Board certified your union as a remedy because the company's behaviour made a fair vote impossible.
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The Board denied Amazon's appeal and condemned the company's deceptive tactics.
- Most recently, the Board ruled that Amazon illegally froze your wages while giving raises to every other warehouse in the region—a ruling that will result in over a million dollars in back pay.
That is the record. That is what the B.C. Labour Relations Board—an independent, neutral body—has found about how Amazon treats YVR2 workers.
Why this matters right now
Amazon operates a website called YVR2Facts.ca. It is not a neutral source of information. It is created and controlled by your employer—the same employer with the record described above. Your union has filed a complaint with the Labour Board because we believe the company's conduct goes beyond sharing information and crosses lines set out in B.C. labour law.
Amazon says this complaint is "meritless." They have said that about every complaint. The Labour Board has disagreed every time.
When we believe the company is breaking the rules, it is our job—and our legal obligation—to hold them accountable. That is exactly what we have done at every stage.
When Amazon talks about "choice"
Amazon's latest message says it "respects your choice" about union representation. Consider that against the record: a company that hired hundreds of extra workers to dilute your voice, fought all the way to the B.C. Supreme Court to stop your ballots from being counted, and froze your wages to punish you for exercising your rights.
When Amazon talks about "choice," ask yourself whose interests they are protecting.
Stay sharp, stay united
When you see messages from the company—on their website, from managers, or anywhere else—remember:
Ask who is telling you this, and what they stand to gain. Ask whether the company benefits if you lose confidence in your union. Ask whether you have heard the union's side.
Your employer has a team of lawyers and consultants whose job is to fight the union. Your union has a team of workers and representatives whose job is to fight for you. These are not the same thing.
If you have questions about anything you hear, please respond to this email. We will always give you a straight answer.
Bargaining update
Your bargaining committee has two final dates scheduled with the employer and the mediator: April 13 and April 16. We are working hard at the table to secure contract language that addresses unreasonable speed-ups—an issue workers have identified as a top priority. We will keep you updated on progress.
Stay united.
In solidarity,
Mario Santos
Unifor National Representative