Amazon’s war on workers: Quebec warehouse closures spark mass protest and call for system change

The streets of Montreal echoed with the cries of thousands on February 15 as workers, union organizers, and activists marched in defiance of Amazon’s decision to shutter seven of its warehouses in Quebec, including its first and only unionized distribution centre in Canada. The closures, which have left thousands of workers jobless, are widely seen as a retaliatory move against organized labor and a stark reminder of the unchecked power of corporate giants in the age of late capitalism.

 

The protest, which drew an estimated 3,000 people, was a fiery display of working-class solidarity. It culminated in the burning of an effigy of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, a billionaire whose wealth has ballooned to obscene levels while his company’s workers face gruelling conditions, surveillance, and now, mass layoffs. The effigy, engulfed in flames, became a potent symbol of the growing resistance to corporate greed and the exploitation inherent in the capitalist system.

 

A Union-Busting Operation

 

At the heart of the protest was the closure of Amazon’s DXT4 warehouse in Laval, Quebec, which had recently become the company’s first unionized facility in Canada. Workers at DXT4, organized under the Confederation of National Trade Unions (CSN), had been fighting for better wages, improved working conditions, and a collective agreement. Their efforts were on the verge of a historic victory when an arbitrator was set to impose a first collective agreement—a milestone for labor rights in Canada.

 

Instead of negotiating in good faith, Amazon chose to shut down the facility entirely, laying off hundreds of workers and effectively crushing their unionization efforts. This move is part of a broader pattern of union-busting by Amazon, a company notorious for its hostility toward organized labor.

 

“Amazon would rather shut down an entire facility than allow workers to have a voice,” said Marie-Claude Lévesque, a CSN spokesperson, addressing the crowd. “This is a blatant attack on workers’ rights and a clear message that billionaires like Jeff Bezos will do anything to protect their wealth and power.”

 

The closure of the Laval warehouse is not an isolated incident. Amazon has also shuttered six other facilities in Quebec, leaving thousands of workers without jobs and devastating local communities. The company has cited “operational inefficiencies” and “economic challenges” as reasons for the closures, but workers and labor advocates see a more sinister motive: the systematic dismantling of worker power.

 

Workers Speak Out

 

Among the protesters was Sophie Dubois, a former employee at the Laval warehouse, who spoke passionately about the toll of Amazon’s decision. “We fought so hard to unionize because we wanted dignity and respect,” she said. “But instead of listening to us, Amazon just threw us out like we were nothing. This isn’t just about losing a job—it’s about losing hope.”

 

Another worker, Jean-Luc Moreau, described the gruelling conditions at the warehouse. “We were treated like machines, not human beings,” he said. “They monitored our every move, timed our breaks, and pushed us to work faster and faster. When we tried to stand up for ourselves, they shut us down. This is what happens when corporations have too much power.”

 

The protest also drew support from workers outside the tech sector, including teachers, healthcare workers, and public sector employees, who see Amazon’s actions as part of a broader assault on labor rights. “This isn’t just about Amazon—it’s about the dictatorship of capital,” said Gabriel Tremblay, a protester and union organizer. “When corporations have this much power, they can destroy lives with a single decision. We’re here to say enough is enough.”

 

A System in Crisis

 

The mass protest in Montreal is part of a growing global movement against Amazon’s exploitative practices. In recent years, the company has faced accusations of poor working conditions, excessive surveillance, and retaliation against union organizers in the United States, Europe, and beyond. The closure of the Laval warehouse has reignited calls for stronger labor laws in Canada and greater accountability for multinational corporations.

 

“This is a systemic issue,” said Lévesque. “Amazon’s actions are a symptom of a broken system that prioritizes profits over people. We need stronger protections for workers, stricter regulations on corporations, and a fundamental shift in how we think about work and wealth.”

 

The Quebec government has yet to comment on the protest or Amazon’s closure of the Laval facility. Meanwhile, labor organizers vow to continue their fight, both in the streets and in the courts, to hold Amazon accountable and protect the rights of workers across the country.

 

Solidarity Forever

 

As the effigy of Jeff Bezos burned, the crowd erupted in chants of “Solidarity forever!”—a reminder that the fight for workers’ rights is far from over. For many in attendance, the protest was not just about Amazon but about challenging a system that allows billionaires to amass unimaginable wealth while workers struggle to make ends meet.

 

“This is just the beginning,” said Lévesque. “We won’t stop until every worker is treated with dignity and respect. The fight for justice doesn’t end here—it starts here.”

 

The protest in Montreal is a powerful reminder that the working class will not be silenced. As Amazon and other corporate giants continue to prioritize profits over people, workers are rising up to demand a fairer, more just world. The flames of resistance are burning brighter than ever, and they will not be extinguished.