Amazon employees are grappling with uncertainty and frustration following unexpected layoffs, including seven warehouse closures. Union president Félix Trudeau criticized the decision as insulting and retaliatory, while other workers expressed their dismay over job losses. Although Amazon plans to provide severance and job relocation resources, concerns remain about the adequacy of support. The Confederation of National Trade Unions condemned the closures, highlighting the negative impact on approximately 1,700 affected workers across various roles.
Amazon Workers Face Uncertainty Following Sudden Job Losses
In the wake of shocking news regarding impending layoffs, numerous Amazon employees are set to return to work with heavy hearts and frustration. “There won’t be any smiles here, that’s for certain,” shares a worker from the Laval warehouse.
Employee Reactions to Warehouse Closures
Félix Trudeau, a 27-year-old sorter at the DXT4 warehouse and union president, expressed his anger, stating, “This move by Amazon is incredibly insulting.” He described the announcement of seven warehouse closures as a “total surprise,” indicating a clear sense of betrayal among the workforce. “This feels like retaliation against our efforts to unionize,” he added, feeling disheartened about the necessity of returning to work to move boxes.
Another employee, Zaid Alshahed, a dispatcher for an Amazon subcontractor, lamented the situation in the parking lot of the Longueuil warehouse, saying, “We all lost our jobs.” The somber mood among workers reflects the gravity of the situation.
While Amazon has not engaged in direct discussions with the media, the company released a statement claiming that the decision to close was not made lightly. They assured affected employees of access to “external job relocation resources” and up to 14 weeks of severance pay following the closures. However, there are reports that not every employee will receive this compensation.
The anticipated date for the cessation of operations is February 8, but Amazon has indicated that the process will unfold gradually over the next two months. Such abrupt notifications for massive layoffs are uncommon, as labor regulations typically require advance notice to the government for layoffs impacting a significant number of employees.
The Confederation of National Trade Unions (CSN), representing the workers at the DXT4 warehouse, criticized these “wild closures,” labeling them a disregard for the well-being of workers in Quebec. CSN president Caroline Senneville stated, “This is a slap in the face for all workers in Quebec.”
As Amazon navigates this challenging transition, the impact on the 1,700 employees losing their jobs—including managers, sorting center staff, and independent delivery contractors—remains a pressing concern.