End all Amazon contracts until workers are hired back, says Singh

MONTRÉAL—On Tuesday, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh joined his voice with Confédération des Syndicats Nationaux (CSN) and workers in Quebec to call on the federal government to end all its contracts with the multi-billion-dollar corporation Amazon, if the workers they fired aren’t hired back.

Last month, Amazon decided to shut down operations in Quebec after their workers organized a union to fight for fairer pay and safer conditions. Today, the workers called on all levels of government in Canada to cancel all their contracts with this union-busting corporation.

“Amazon workers in Quebec organized a union to fight for better working conditions, and fairer wages, which they deserve—but billionaire Jeff Bezos punished them with mass firings, and shutting down Quebec operations. It’s wrong, it’s shameful, and it should be a wake-up call about how Amazon treats workers,” said Singh. “This is one of the wealthiest companies in the world. As a country, we need to send a strong message: you cannot get rich on the backs of Canadian workers while denying them their rights.

“All levels of government must listen to the workers and cancel contracts with Amazon until they hire back every worker they fired.”

Singh also pointed to the $120 million in contracts the federal government has with Amazon and said any current contracts should be immediately cancelled.

“New Democrats will always have workers’ backs—from Québec, to every corner of the nation,” added Singh. “We will always stand up to billionaires who hurt our workers and communities.”