B.C. Labour Board Orders Amazon to First Collective Agreement Arbitration
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TL;DR
- B.C. Labour Relations Board has ordered Amazon and Unifor to binding arbitration.
- The order follows Amazon's rejection of mediated arbitration proposals.
- The dispute concerns the first collective agreement at Amazon's YVR2 warehouse.
- Amazon is appealing the arbitration order.
Overview
The British Columbia Labour Relations Board has ruled that Amazon and Unifor, representing workers at the YVR2 warehouse in Delta, must resolve their first collective agreement through binding arbitration. This follows failed negotiations and mediation efforts, with the Board stepping in due to the persistent impasse.
What Happened
On August 4, 2026, the B.C. Labour Relations Board ordered Amazon and Unifor to conclude their first collective agreement for the YVR2 warehouse by way of binding arbitration.
The Board's order came after a mediator reported no progress between Amazon and the union despite several months of negotiation that began in October 2025.
Amazon had rejected previous mediation recommendations to proceed to arbitration, preferring to continue direct bargaining, which included preserving the right for workers to strike or for the company to order a lockout.
The Board clarified that, if the company and union cannot agree on an arbitrator within seven days, it will appoint one itself.
Amazon stated it would appeal the order and seek a stay, citing ongoing employee decertification votes not yet counted.
Context
Unionized workers at Amazon's YVR2 warehouse received certification in July 2025 after the Board found the company's earlier conduct prevented a fair workplace vote.
A prior Board decision also found Amazon violated the provincial labour code by withholding wage increases from unionized workers-leading to a significant back-wages order.
This is the first instance where binding arbitration will decide a collective agreement for Amazon workers in North America, marking a notable development in labor-employer relations in Canada.
Why It Matters
- The order compels a first union contract for Amazon warehouse workers in Canada via arbitration, setting a potential precedent for collective bargaining with major employers.
- It underscores the Labour Board's willingness to intervene in cases where negotiations become intractable, particularly with a multi-national employer.
- The outcome may influence labor organizing strategies at other warehouses and in similar employment sectors.