A group of investors have signed a letter to Amazon.com Inc. regarding its decision to close Quebec warehouses and terminate workers, highlighting risks to Amazon’s reputation for respecting employee’s freedom of expression and collective bargaining.

The letter, obtained by BNNBloomberg.ca, was addressed to two members of the e-commerce giant’s board of directors. The group of 68 investors raised concerns about the company’s announcement to close all seven of its Quebec warehouses amid collective bargaining contract negotiations and unionization efforts. The closure adds to “growing concerns” regarding Amazon’s commitment to respect employee rights related to freedom of association and collective bargaining, the investors said.

“As investors, we would like to reiterate that we consider freedom of association and collective bargaining rights as fundamental rights that all companies have an obligation to respect, and crucial to long-term value creation,” the letter reads.

“Failing to properly uphold freedom of association and collective bargaining rights can expose shareholders to significant operational, reputational, legal and regulatory risks. In particular, we are surprised the company is making a strategic business decision to close its operations so suddenly, and so soon after expanding operations and investment in Quebec.”

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