Amazon warehouse workers in Delta, B.C., began negotiating their first collective agreement this week, marking the first time unionized Amazon employees in British Columbia have sat down for contract talks with the company.
Workload levels, speed-ups and favouritism topped the list of concerns raised by workers at the YVR2 fulfilment centre, according to Unifor, the union representing the employees.
“We’ve heard loud and clear from the team at YVR2 that workloads and speed are a top priority,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Work shouldn’t hurt, nor should YVR2 workers suffer from arbitrary pressure to speed up.”
Worker surveys identify key issues
Survey results and conversations with workers at the Delta facility identified workload, speed-ups and favouritism as the most pressing workplace issues, according to the union. The bargaining committee raised these concerns during the opening of negotiations on Wednesday.
The YVR2 workers elected representatives to negotiate on their behalf with Amazon management.
Union pushes for workplace improvements
“We are excited to begin good faith negotiations to improve working conditions at YVR2,” said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle. “Workers at YVR2 have won a democratic voice at work. Bargaining a legally binding collective agreement is a critical step to making positive change in the workplace.”
The negotiations represent a milestone for labour relations at Amazon in British Columbia. Amazon has faced organizing efforts at multiple facilities across Canada in recent years.
Unifor describes itself as Canada’s largest private sector union, representing 320,000 workers across various industries. The union has been actively organizing Amazon facilities in recent months.
No timeline for the completion of negotiations has been announced.
