Dear Sisters, Brothers and Friends,
I would like to inform you that the Executive Council of the Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) unanimously adopted a motion at its most recent meeting to boycott the use of Amazon for the supply of all our union's goods and services. This decision follows recent events here in Canada that starkly illustrate Amazon's contempt for union rights.
In May 2024, the workers at the DXT4 warehouse in Laval, Quebec, took a historic step by becoming the first group of Amazon employees in the country to unionize. The union, affiliated with the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), was certified by the Tribunal administratif du travail du Québec despite opposition from Amazon, which did everything it could to try to block the process.
Just a few months later, in January 2025, while negotiations for the signing of a first collective agreement were underway, Amazon announced the closure of all its warehouses in Quebec, resulting in the layoff of 1,700 permanent employees and nearly 300 contractual employees. In addition, more than 2,500 employees working for Amazon subcontractors also lost their jobs, bringing the total number of job losses to 4,500. This brutal decision, taken without consultation, was denounced by the CSN as an anti-union retaliation measure. Such a maneuver sends a clear message: as soon as workers organize collectively, Amazon chooses closure over dialogue.
This is not an isolated case, but rather a recurring behavior on the part of an American company that systematically seeks to stifle any attempt at unionization. This contempt for the right to freedom of association, which is guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, is a frontal attack on the entire labour movement. And we cannot remain silent.
In response, UTE is announcing that its National Office is boycotting Amazon for all supplies of goods and services. We are also encouraging all our Locals, Executives and members to join the boycott and align their purchasing choices with our values. In the context of the tariff war between the United States and Canada, a war initiated by the President of the United States, this boycott offers us an incredible opportunity to support local businesses in communities across Canada.
In addition, our union is supporting and joining the « Here, we boycott Amazon » movement, available at www.boycottamazon.ca/en.
UTE strongly reaffirms that the right to unionize is non-negotiable. Every attack on this right, regardless of the employer or sector, calls for a collective, strong and united response. By acting together, we defend not only our members, but also all workers who are struggling to work in reasonable conditions and with dignity.
In Solidarity,
Marc Brière
National President
Union of Taxation Employees