B.C. Labour Board certifies union at Amazon facility in Delta, B.C., Unifor
Workers at an Amazon fulfilment centre in Delta, B.C., have been officially certified to unionize, after the B.C. Labour Relations Board found the company engaged in unfair labour practices that interfered with the unionization process.
The union had applied to certify the facility for unionization last year, but the results of that vote were sealed due to an unfair labour practices complaint the union filed, alleging Amazon ramped up hiring to try to dilute union support.
Following 18 days of hearings, the board on Thursday ruled that Amazon’s “deliberate, calculated, and pervasive” anti-union campaign undermined the possibility of a fair vote, and granted Unifor certification through a rare remedial order that’s used when employer misconduct compromises the integrity of a vote.
“We’re very happy for the Amazon workers that have been fighting so hard to get access to collective bargaining and a fair collective agreement,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor’s western regional director.
Unifor filed its first application for union certification in April 2024, then withdrew it shortly after. A second application was filed in May.
According to the Labour Board’s decision, Amazon brought in 148 new employees between March and June 2024 — a period that overlapped with both certification attempts. The board found this influx, along with a coordinated anti-union campaign, substantially impacted the unionization process.
Unifor alleged Amazon ramped up hiring and flooded workers with anti-union messaging, including suggestions that they could lose existing benefits if they unionized.
In its ruling, the board found the company had violated B.C.’s Labour Relations Code.
The Confédération des syndicats nationaux says 4,500 affected workers still don’t have jobs, proper severance or government help. Amazon closed its seven warehouses and delivery services in Quebec in January 2025 — a decision the company said was tied to cost savings.
“I find Amazon hired unnecessary employees, which had both the impact and purpose of impeding the Union’s organizing drive,” board vice-chair Gurleen Sahota said in his decision.
The document describes ways the company tried to persuade employees away from unionizing, including the corporation’s practice of “pulsing” wherein in it assesses culture, leadership and employee satisfaction at its sites. The process includes meeting with employees one-on-one and asking them questions about their experiences at the workplace and “educating them on Amazon’s policies and procedures.”
“Employees were subjected to ‘pulsing’ by managers from various sites and a constant…
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