Unifor: decision not to certify BC Amazon workers’ union upheld

Unifor: decision not to certify BC Amazon workers’ union upheld

VANCOUVER, BC, July 2, 2025 - The British Columbia Labour Relations Board (BCLRB) has upheld its decision not to certify a union for Amazon workers at the Delta B.C. facility (YVR2), following an appeal from Amazon. The ruling, which was slammed by Unifor, the union representing the workers, highlights the ongoing legal battle over unionization efforts at Amazon facilities.

The BCLRB, in its ruling, rebuked Amazon for its conduct during the unionization drive, citing multiple violations of the B.C. Labour Code. These violations included anti-union communications and a deliberate attempt to artificially inflate employee lists to defeat the unionizing effort. The BCLRB found Amazon's actions to be a "direct attack on employee free choice," as stated by Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle.

The decision to uphold the ruling comes amidst a broader trend of unionization efforts at Amazon facilities across Canada. In early July, the BCLRB certified UFCW-Canada as the bargaining representative for over 500 UBER drivers in Victoria, and another decision certified Unifor as the bargaining representative for employees at an Amazon distribution center in suburban Vancouver.

Unifor's success in organizing workers at Amazon and Walmart facilities is attributed to several simple but effective labor laws. The B.C. Labour Relations Code allows for card-check certification, where a union can be certified based on evidence of majority union membership, and remedial certification, which can be ordered to correct serious employer unfair labor practices. These laws streamline the unionization process and provide protections for workers seeking collective bargaining.

The decision to uphold the ruling against Amazon underscores the importance of these legal protections. Unifor continues to advocate for labor laws that protect the right for workers to organize and bargain collectively. The union's success in organizing Amazon workers is a significant victory in the ongoing struggle for worker rights and collective bargaining.

References:

[1] https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/b-c-labour-board-slams-amazon-in-appeal-ruling-899944082.html
[2] https://onlabor.org/how-three-simple-labor-laws-helped-unions-organize-amazon-and-uber-in-canada/