Amazon unionization in Quebec was discussed by management, tribunal hears

MONTRÉAL – An Amazon senior executive told a labour tribunal on Thursday that unionization efforts by Quebec workers were discussed in meetings by management, though not in detail.

Amazon’s director of operations for Canada told the Tribunal administratif du travail he knew there was some unionization activity at the e-commerce giant’s distribution centre in Lachine. But Jasmin Begagic said he doesn’t remember who raised the issue in meetings, and that he didn’t know the specifics.

“I knew there was some activity” at the facility, he said on his second day of testimony. “But not the details.”

The labour board is hearing a complaint filed by the Confédération des syndicats nationaux union following the closure of Amazon’s seven warehouses in Quebec in January. The union alleges the closures and layoffs were an attempt by Amazon to shut down growing unionization efforts and avoid obligations under the Quebec Labour Code.

As for the Laval warehouse, where workers obtained union certification in the spring of 2024, Begagic explained that the matter was handled by Amazon’s legal department.

Begagic told the tribunal a “small team” examined “different options,” which led to the recommendation to close Amazon’s warehouses in Quebec. 

The union is asking the tribunal to overturn the decision to close the warehouses and to order Amazon to recall employees to work. It is also seeking moral and exemplary damages, along with compensation for job losses for each affected worker.

Amazon maintains the closures were not due to unionization, but rather to a desire to review its business model and save millions of dollars by doing business with third parties.

The hearing is scheduled to continue next week.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2025.