Local Union 931 Denounces a Decision Abandoning Thousands of Drivers to Precarity
Montreal, January 13, 2026 — Teamsters Local Union 931 is criticizing a decision rendered on December 22, 2025, by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), concluding that Intelcom Express Inc. (known as Dragonfly in the rest of Canada and globally) falls under provincial jurisdiction. In practice, this jurisdictional shift deprives drivers of their right to unionize, as the Quebec Labour Code does not permit union certification for independent contractors, unlike the Canada Labour Code.
Intelcom has taken over the bulk of Amazon’s parcel deliveries in Quebec since the American giant ceased its direct delivery operations in the province following unionization attempts by its employees. Intelcom operates under an aggressive business model based on the massive use of drivers classified as independent contractors, who are often in precarious situations and lack collective protections.
In the past, the Teamsters Union represented these drivers across the country through voluntary recognition granted by the employer, a mechanism that allows a federally regulated company to recognize a union without a vote. However, this type of recognition can be unilaterally withdrawn at any time.
During the last round of collective bargaining, while the Teamsters were demanding substantial improvements to the drivers’ working conditions, Intelcom withdrew this voluntary recognition. Refusing to abandon these workers, the Teamsters launched a card-signing campaign to secure certification and force a vote. In Quebec, this initiative was led by Local Union 931.
In a sudden turn of events, Intelcom now maintains that it does not fall under the Canada Labour Code, but rather the Quebec Labour Code. In this context, the company claims its drivers are not unionizable, asserting they are all independent contractors.
In its decision on December 22, 2025, the CIRB ruled in favor of provincial jurisdiction, deeming that Intelcom does not generate sufficient interprovincial volume to be considered a federally regulated enterprise.
“This decision relies on a technicality and completely ignores the reality on the ground: Intelcom operates within a national and international supply chain, and its business model relies on precarity,” stated Pierre-André Blanchard, President of Teamsters Local Union 931.
“The concrete result is that the Board has just closed the door on union representation for these drivers, abandoning them to unstable working conditions without real recourse, solely for the benefit of a model based on exploitation,” added Mr. Blanchard.
Local Union 931 confirms that it is actively analyzing all possible options following this decision and will continue its efforts to protect the rights of the affected workers.
Concurrently, Local Union 931 is intensifying its efforts to unionize workers at the Intelcom mega distribution center in Laval, where working and employment conditions also raise serious concerns.
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Marc-André Gauthier
Director of Communications, Teamsters Canada
Cell : 514-206-0492 | magauthier@teamsters.ca
