Sobeys distribution center workers walk off the job

Workers at a distribution center belonging to the Canadian supermarket chain Sobeys  striked and walked off the job on Saturday, reports Canadian news service Global News.

Employees at a Sobeys distribution center in the York Region, within the Greater Toronto area, had recently unionized, with 53% voting to join the Teamsters 419 union. 

The recent strike came about due to those workers citing low wages and poor working conditions during the pandemic as well as a lowball contract offer from Sobeys, according to the union.

The union said the distribution center serves between 80 and 150 Sobeys stores.

“[Sobeys distribution workers] tabled anti-union proposals, including being able to subcontract out their work and non-employees being able to work alongside the unionized members,” the union said in a statement.

 Sobeys said it is trying to minimize the disruption from the closed distribution center and expressed interest in restarting negotiations.

 “We can assure you that serving our customers continues to be a top priority, and we are working hard to ensure there is minimal impact on them,” Sobeys said in a statement.