Workers at an Amazon fulfillment center in Delta, British Columbia, have received official certification to unionize. The British Columbia Labour Relations Board determined that the company engaged in unfair labor practices that hindered the unionization process.
The union sought certification for the facility last year, but the vote results were sealed due to a complaint of unfair labor practices filed by the union. They alleged that Amazon increased hiring to weaken union support.
After 18 days of hearings, the board ruled that Amazon’s deliberate and pervasive anti-union campaign undermined a fair vote. Unifor was granted certification through a rare remedial order used when employer misconduct compromises the voting integrity.
Unifor initially applied for union certification in April 2024, withdrew it shortly after, and then filed a second application in May. The Labor Board noted that Amazon hired 148 new employees between March and June 2024, overlapping with both certification attempts, significantly impacting the unionization process.
Allegations were made by Unifor that Amazon intensified hiring and bombarded workers with anti-union messages, including warnings about potential loss of benefits if they unionized. The board’s ruling found that the company violated British Columbia’s Labor Relations Code.
This certification marks the Delta warehouse as the third Amazon facility in North America to unionize, following facilities in Staten Island, New York, in 2022, and Laval, Quebec, in 2024. The Laval warehouse was the first Amazon site in Canada to unionize, but all seven Quebec facilities were closed in January 2025, leaving affected workers without proper severance or support.
Despite Amazon’s history of anti-union practices, Unifor’s western regional director expressed optimism due to British Columbia’s robust labor laws. Amazon is set to appeal the decision, claiming it deprives employees of their right to make an informed choice. The board’s decision is rooted in a provision of the B.C. Labor Code that allows for certification when company actions make a fair vote unlikely.
While certification is a significant step, it may be the start of a challenging process. Amazon’s unionized workforce in Staten Island, New York, certified in 2022, is yet to secure a contract. The road ahead may be tough, but workers are determined to fight for their rights.
