As you may know, on July 10, the BC Labour Relations Board (BCLRB) decided to certify Unifor at YVR2 without counting employees' votes from their 2024 election. We strongly disagree with this decision and are appealing it because we believe our actions were appropriate and compliant with the Labour Code.

All employees deserve to have their voices heard in determining whether or not they’re represented by a union. That's why we're appealing—to ensure every individual's right to vote is respected. At this time, while our appeals continue, the union has the right to negotiate with Amazon at YVR2, but it’s important to remember that this does not guarantee any specific outcomes.

Unsurprisingly, the same union is now showing up at some of our other sites, or other public places such as the shuttle pick up locations, claiming they “won.” We don’t know if the majority of employees at YVR2 feel the union “won” because they had no say about union representation at the site. Their ballots were never counted, and no election outcome was ever announced. We have heard from a number of associates that they are not happy with the outcome and don’t want to be represented by the union. The YVR2 employees now face a situation where they could be paying union dues without ever having had input in the decision about unionization at their site. We, and several associates, don’t think that’s right.

While unions often make promises during organizing campaigns, they can only negotiate— not guarantee results. Any collective agreement would require both Amazon and the union to agree on most terms. One of the few things that would be mandatory under a union contract is employees paying union dues (typically ranging from $600 to $797 annually for full-time employees). Most other employment terms would be subject to negotiation. If agreement is not reached on all terms, there could be a strike, lockout, or arbitration to settle any remaining terms.

We believe that our direct relationship with you has many advantages. We can address your concerns and make improvements quickly. You receive competitive pay and comprehensive benefits from day one. We offer career advancement opportunities both within and beyond Amazon. Each day your feedback helps shape our workplace without a third-party Intermediary.

At Amazon, we respect your right to make your own decision about union representation, but we encourage you to thoroughly understand what union representation actually means rather than accepting claims at face value.

We’re here to listen to you and work together to make this a safe, inclusive, and innovative place to work. If you have any questions about YVR2 or anything else, please speak with us, HR (PXT), or any leader.

Chuck C.
Director, CACF Operations