TORONTO — Four union locals have authorized strikes against Loblaw Cos. in a move they hope will pressure the retailer to improve its contract proposal.
United Food and Commercial Workers Canada Locals 1977, 1000A, 175 and 633 represent nearly 30,000 workers at Loblaw-owned stores in Ontario. In a joint statement, they said they were “angry” at Loblaw, which they say has not improved a contract offer calling for wage cuts of up to 25% and reductions in benefits.
“Unless Loblaw adopts a more reasonable position, a strike may be inevitable,” the union said. Negotiations are scheduled to resume July 19 with a provincial mediator.