Amazon is closing its Quebec warehouses, impacting 1,700 employees with layoffs in the coming months. Changes are on the way!
Quebec: So, Amazon’s making some big changes. They’re closing down their seven warehouses in the province, which means about 1,700 folks are going to lose their jobs in the next couple of months. That’s a lot of people!
These warehouses are spread out in places like Laval, Lachine, Longueuil, and Côteaux-du-Lac. It’s a pretty big deal for the local economy.
But don’t worry, Amazon says that for customers, nothing will really change. They’re just shifting back to using third-party delivery services, like they did before 2020.
Barbara Agrait, an Amazon spokesperson, mentioned that this decision wasn’t easy. They’re offering affected employees a severance package that includes up to 14 weeks of pay and some help finding new jobs.
It’s not just the regular employees who are affected; around 250 seasonal workers are also in the mix. Amazon insists this move is all about providing better service and saving money in the long run.
After trying out third-party carriers for a while, they think going back to that model will help them keep things running smoothly. They’re promising customers that this will lead to more savings down the line.
Reports say that the layoffs will hit managers and workers at delivery and sorting centers. Plus, a bunch of independent contractors who deliver packages will also feel the impact.
Interestingly, there was a recent union certification at the Laval warehouse, which adds another layer to this situation.
The closures will happen gradually over the next two months, so it won’t be an overnight thing. CityNews has reached out to the local union and government officials for comments but hasn’t heard back yet.
