Collective bargaining is the process where a company and a union negotiate to set terms around wages, benefits, working conditions, and other aspects of your employment. The process could take months as both sides exchange proposals; it includes give and take, and there are no guarantees as to what the outcome will be. You could end up with the same, more, or less than you would have had anyway for some of your employment conditions.

Collective bargaining could take several months or longer to complete. Negotiations are a give and take process, and while both sides must negotiate in good faith to try to reach an agreement, neither side is generally required to agree to any particular proposals by the other.

Now that Amazon and the union are in negotiations, a “statutory freeze” is in place. This is a legal requirement and means that most terms and conditions of your employment, including pay, benefits, and work rules, are generally frozen. The purpose of the “freeze” is to set a consistent base for the parties to bargain over, rather than have employment terms shift during bargaining. 

No one knows. Collective bargaining could take several months or longer to complete. Negotiations are a give and take process, and while both sides must negotiate in good faith to try to reach an agreement, neither side is generally required to agree to any particular proposals by the other.

Yes. If a collective agreement is reached, all employees in the bargaining unit are required to pay union dues, which are typically deducted directly from your pay. The dues must be paid whether you supported the union or not. If the parties eventually reach an agreement, dues for Tier 1 employees will range from $722.76 - $795.36* per year. For Tier 3 employees, dues will range from $864.60 - $937.20* per year.

*For those working full time 40 or more hours per week

No. Amazon must negotiate in good faith but does not have to agree to any of the union’s proposals.

Most terms and conditions of employment can be on the table during the give and take of collective bargaining negotiations. You could end up with the same, more, or less than you would have anyway.

If the parties cannot reach an agreement, Unifor may call a strike vote. If a majority of those who vote decide to go on strike, all employees in the bargaining unit are on strike, and you will not be paid by Amazon during that time.

Due to a legal "statutory freeze," Amazon may not change associates' conditions of employment (like pay or benefits) during this period. Any changes are now subject to the give and take bargaining process.