Workers at an Amazon fulfillment center in Delta, B.C., have received official certification to unionize. The B.C. Labour Relations Board determined that the company had engaged in unfair labor practices that interfered with the unionization process.
Last year, the union had sought certification for the facility, but the results of the vote were sealed due to a complaint of unfair labor practices. The complaint alleged that Amazon had increased hiring to reduce union support. Following 18 days of hearings, the board concluded that Amazon’s deliberate and pervasive anti-union efforts had undermined the fairness of the vote. As a result, Unifor was granted certification through a rare remedial order.
Unifor first applied for union certification in April 2024, withdrew the application, and then reapplied in May. The Labor Board’s decision highlighted Amazon’s hiring of 148 new employees during the certification attempts, along with an aggressive anti-union campaign, which significantly influenced the unionization process.
According to Unifor, Amazon intensified hiring and bombarded workers with anti-union messages, insinuating potential loss of benefits if they unionized. The board found that the company had violated B.C.’s Labor Relations Code.
The certification of the Delta warehouse marks only the third Amazon facility in North America to unionize. The first two were in Staten Island, N.Y., in 2022, and Laval, Que., in 2024. Despite the successful unionization in Laval, Amazon later closed all its Quebec facilities in January 2025, affecting thousands of workers who have yet to receive proper severance.
Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor’s western regional director, expressed optimism but acknowledged Amazon’s resistance to unions. He emphasized the need for Amazon to comply with B.C.’s labor laws and engage in collective bargaining. Workers at the Delta facility have raised concerns about job stability and safety.
Amazon intends to appeal the board’s decision, stating that it deprives employees of their right to voice their opinions. Mark Thompson, an expert in industrial relations, explained that the board’s decision aligns with B.C.’s labor regulations, which allow certification when a fair vote is compromised by company actions.
While certification is a significant step, Thompson cautioned that the unionization process could be arduous. The Staten Island workforce, unionized in 2022, is still without a contract, indicating Amazon’s staunch opposition to unions and the potential challenges ahead for the Delta facility workers.