Unifor says it's planning a union drive for Amazon workers in Metro Vancouver.
The union announced the drive in a press release Wednesday after an in-person event near an Amazon fulfilment centre in New Westminster that included an appearance by Chris Smalls, president of the Amazon Labor Union (ALU) in the U.S.
In the press release, national president Lana Payne said joining a union would help Amazon workers push their employer to improve working conditions.
Payne said Amazon workers took risks during the COVID-19 pandemic so that millions of people could stay home and get their essentials delivered.
Unifor's regional director for the west Gavin McGarrigle said in the press release that the ALU has shown what's possible at the e-commerce giant.
McGarrigle added that it's time to turn things around for workers in the warehouse industry.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2023.
