On a cold, snow-covered Saturday in Montréal, hundreds of demonstrators gathered to protest Amazon’s decision to shut down seven of its warehouses in Quebec, including the company’s first and only unionized facility in Canada. The protest, organized by the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), was a powerful display of solidarity among workers, union organizers, and community members who are demanding justice for the thousands of workers laid off by the e-commerce giant.
Waving flags and holding placards with messages like “Boycott Amazon” and “Stand with Workers,” the protesters marched through the streets, their voices rising above the winter chill. The demonstration was a direct response to Amazon’s announcement in January that it would close its Quebec warehouses, laying off nearly 2,000 permanent workers and over 4,500 workers when subcontractors are included.
A Blow to Workers’ Rights
At the heart of the protest was the closure of Amazon’s unionized warehouse in Laval, Quebec. Workers at this facility, represented by the CSN, had been fighting for better wages, improved working conditions, and a collective agreement. Their efforts were on the verge of a historic victory when Amazon decided to shut down the facility entirely, effectively crushing their unionization efforts.
Felix, a representative of the laid-off workers from the Laval warehouse, addressed the crowd with a fiery call to action. “We will not lay down and stop fighting,” he declared. “We must have a strong reaction as a society, as a labour movement, as a working class. Amazon cannot be allowed to get away with this.”
Felix’s words resonated with the crowd, many of whom had personally experienced the harsh working conditions at Amazon warehouses. “They treat us like machines, not human beings,” said one former worker. “We deserve dignity and respect, not layoffs and broken promises.”
A Call for Accountability
CSN President Caroline Senneville spoke to reporters in front of Mont-Royal subway station, urging all levels of government to take a stand against Amazon. “I think our government should show the way and do business with businesses that do respect our laws here in Quebec, especially our labour laws,” she said.
Senneville also announced that the CSN will be taking legal action against Amazon in the coming weeks. “This is not just about layoffs—it’s about corporate greed and the erosion of workers’ rights,” she said. “We will fight this in the courts, in the streets, and in the hearts and minds of the public.”
A Growing Movement
The protest in Montréal is part of a growing global movement against Amazon’s exploitative practices. In recent years, the company has faced accusations of poor working conditions, excessive surveillance, and retaliation against union organizers in the United States, Europe, and beyond. The closure of the Laval warehouse has reignited calls for stronger labor laws in Canada and greater accountability for multinational corporations.
“This is a systemic issue,” said Senneville. “Amazon’s actions are a symptom of a broken system that prioritizes profits over people. We need stronger protections for workers, stricter regulations on corporations, and a fundamental shift in how we think about work and wealth.”
Solidarity in Action
As the protesters marched through the snow-blanketed streets, their chants of “Solidarity forever!” echoed through the city. The demonstration was a powerful reminder that the fight for workers’ rights is far from over. For many in attendance, the protest was not just about Amazon but about challenging a system that allows corporations to exploit workers with impunity.
“This is just the beginning,” said Felix. “We won’t stop until every worker is treated with dignity and respect. The fight for justice doesn’t end here—it starts here.”
The Immigrant Workers Centre (IWC-CTI) stands in solidarity with the workers affected by Amazon’s layoffs and with all workers fighting for their rights. We call on our community to join us in demanding justice for workers and holding corporations like Amazon accountable.
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