CSN wants transparency after layoffs at Amazon's Laval warehouse

The union representing workers at Amazon's Laval, Quebec warehouse is reporting that at least 30 employees have recently been informed that they will lose their jobs.

Caroline Senneville, President of the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), believes that while it is common for retail businesses to lay off staff after the busy holiday season, these layoffs may be a form of retaliation for the workers' unionization efforts.

However, Amazon has denied any ill intent and accused the CSN of spreading misinformation.

Barbara Agrait, a spokesperson for Amazon, explained that the employees in question "were hired as seasonal workers, and their contracts clearly indicated an end date for their employment."

Despite this, Senneville expressed concern that the union was not notified of the specific number of layoffs or the criteria used to determine which workers were affected.

She pointed out that the layoffs did not necessarily impact only the most recent hires, as some employees had been with the company for as long as six months.

The union, which was officially certified in May by the Administrative Labour Tribunal, is still in the process of negotiating its first collective agreement. Additional meetings are planned for January.