Sobeys Warehouse Workers Strike

MILTON, Ontario — More than 400 workers at a Sobeys distribution center here went on strike Monday, saying they were unhappy with terms of a contract offer from the retailer.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 175, which represents 428 workers at the Milton Retail Support Center, broke off negotiations with Sobeys on Sunday, saying the retailer wanted a nine-year contract that “would limit the ability of the union and workers to go back to the table to resolve any matters for that duration,” the union said in a statement.

The union, which said it preferred a three-year deal, also said Sobeys’ offer would allow for “excessive” use of part-time workers, eroding full-time jobs.

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“The members on strike at Sobeys have the full support of their Union and its resources,” said UFCW Local 175 President, Shawn Haggerty. "The striking workers are on the picket line and will continue to be there until the company agrees to return to the bargaining table and take a reasonable approach to the workers’ concerns."

Sobeys was not immediately available for comment. The Milton facility is one of three distribution centers the Stellarton, Nova Scotia-based retailer operates in Ontario. It primarily serves stores in Southern Ontario.

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Discuss this Article 5

Justin Christman (not verified)
on Feb 17, 2013

Sobeys Milton Retail Support Centre is the lowest paid in the industry. The sister warehouse in Whitby is substantially better in all areas of its contract including ; wages, benefits and pension. The Milton employees would have accepted a contract similar to the one in Whitby. There is a general sense of resentment stemming from the previous contract seeing the benefits being drastically reduced. The absenteeism policy sees employees disiplined after returning to work from hospital. Anything from minor surgeries to cancer treatments enters employees into the absenteeism program.

senority rules (not verified)
on Feb 20, 2013

as a member of the "sister"warehouse i would like to figure out why you would go on strike when you told that one of these 2 warehouses could be closing? the CAW union in whitby has worked really hard over the last 9 years to have proper language and agreements in place.

milton member (not verified)
on Mar 3, 2013

There's just no accounting for some peoples' logic, and unfortunately in this case it's the majority. Some education can never be taught.

senority rules (not verified)
on Mar 12, 2013

they went back to work for the same 9 year= deal offered 5 weeks ago

Mark Hamstra
on Mar 13, 2013

Thanks for the tip, senority rules. Here's a follow-up story: http://supermarketnews.com/retail-amp-financial/sobeys-warehouse-workers...

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