In 1996, at the National Defence University of the United States, Harlan K. Ullman and James P. Wade developed a military doctrine known as "shock and awe." This strategy relies on overwhelming force and disproportionate displays of power to break an enemy’s will to resist. Organizer, author, and former Amazon employee Mostafa Henaway argues that Amazon has employed a similar tactic in its recent decision to leave Québec entirely.
On today's episode of Metropolis, host Kalden Rangdröl Dhatsenpa speaks with Mostafa Henaway about the corporate giant’s abrupt departure from la belle province. On January 22, 2025, news broke that Amazon Canada had laid off all 1,997 employees across its seven Québec locations. Henaway believes this decision stems from the successful unionization campaign at Amazon’s Laval DXT4 warehouse last May by the CSN (Confédération des syndicats nationaux).
The DXT4 facility was only the second Amazon warehouse in North America to unionize, and it was on track to be the first to secure a collective agreement. Québec’s strong labour standards would have ensured a robust contract for workers, setting a precedent that Amazon may have wanted to avoid.
Amazon, however, denies that the union campaign influenced its decision. Henaway remains skeptical, citing numerous instances in which corporations like Walmart and Couche-Tard have closed unionized locations. He suggests that Amazon’s move is a calculated scare tactic designed to send a clear message to its workers worldwide: the company will not tolerate organized labour.
Watch the full discussion on Metropolis today.
